HOUSE OF COMMONS

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards

David Winnick: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, for what reason the new contract for the post of Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards will involve fewer working days than the present contract.

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, for what reason (a) the hours required from and (b) the salary paid to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards are being reduced.

Archy Kirkwood: pursuant to his reply, 23 November 2001, c. 484w
	The time commitment established for the first Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards was four days a week not three. However, the first Commissioner expressed the view towards the end of his appointment that the Commissioner's contribution could be reduced to two to three days a week, provided that some work could be delegated to the Registrar of Members' Interests. Three days a week was then established as the time commitment for the present Commissioner, and it was on this basis that she was offered the appointment.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Uzbekistan

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Government of Uzbekistan regarding their policy on British and French humanitarian aid entering Afghanistan.

Clare Short: I have not made any personal representations to the Government of Uzbekistan on UK or French aid entering Afghanistan. However, the UK is fully supportive of the representations made by the humanitarian agencies of the United Nations to the Government of Uzbekistan with regard to the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the outcome was of the international meeting held in Washington on 20 November on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: The USA and Japan co-chaired a conference on Afghanistan's reconstruction in Washington DC on 20 November. It was attended by senior officials from over 20 countries, including the UK, as well as the United Nations, international financial institutions and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.
	The conference agreed the need for long-term international support for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, the need to involve Afghans—in particular Afghan women—in all phases of the recovery and reconstruction effort; the importance of recovery intervention that demonstrates a quick impact; and the central role of the United Nations. A steering group has been established to guide reconstruction, co-chaired by the US, Japan, the EU and Saudi Arabia. The first meeting of the steering group will take place in Brussels in December.

Afghanistan

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has in place to assist Afghan refugees when they return to their home towns inside Afghanistan; and what plans she has to take account of the needs of women and children in planning and implementing refugee assistance activities.

Clare Short: We fully support the UN's efforts under Ambassador Brahimi to help with the long-term reconstruction of Afghanistan, including that which will support returning refugees. This will involve such measures as expanding basic health services, carrying out emergency repairs to infrastructure, de-mining and the reopening of education facilities.
	We also strongly support Ambassador Brahimi's commitment to addressing human rights issues and his commitment to the involvement of women in discussions. As recovery activities begin, the programmes that we support will be designed and monitored to ensure that women and children benefit.
	The principles and priorities guiding our approach are outlined in our paper entitled 'Afghanistan—Recovery: An emergency plan for the first 100 days'. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her work with (a) serving and (b) former child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Clare Short: We continue to work for the disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation of the negative forces in the DRC in line with the Lusaka peace accord and are closely monitoring the situation.
	During the period June 2000—April 2001 we provided a grant of £150,000 to Save the Children for their demobilisation project in the provinces of North and South Kivu. This aimed to provide child soldiers with the social and economic support they required in reintegration into their families and respective communities. We have also provided £400,000 to Rwanda to assist with the DDR programmes for fighters recently from the DRC. This DDR programme includes a special component to provide immediate care for 500 former child soldiers captured in poor physical condition and re-integrate them with their families and communities.

Global Patent Rules (Africa)

Tony Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she is taking with respect to Africa to prevent global patent rules having a negative effect on health.

Clare Short: The Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement includes flexibilities which should enable developing countries in Africa and elsewhere to protect their public health in situations of crisis or national emergency. Until now, a lack of clarity around these flexibilities had been a source of concern.
	The Government, with the European Commission, worked hard to ensure that the Doha Ministerial produced a meaningful declaration on TRIPS and public health. We welcome and fully support the proposals in the Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health and the World Trade Organisation's (WTO's) efforts to ensure the TRIPS Agreement can and should be interpreted and implemented in a manner supportive of WTO members' rights to protect public health.
	The Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, which I established earlier this year, is looking at how international intellectual property rules might need to develop in future best to take account of the interests of developing countries. It is due to report in June 2002.
	There is of course more to improving access to medicines in developing countries than global patent rules. The World Health Organisation recognises four key factors. These include sustainable financing, affordable pricing, reliable health and supply systems, and the rational selection and use of existing drugs. My Department remains committed to working with our developing country partners and other international organisations to address all these issues, which are particularly pertinent in Africa. To this end we have pledged US$200 million to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria; set up a Working Group on Access to Medicines to look at options on differential pricing and increasing research and development; and committed over £1 billion since 1997 to help developing countries put in place effective health care systems.

Turkey

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial assistance has been given to Turkey by her Department in each of the last three years; what was the amount of funding; what the projects were for which the funding was allocated; and what supervision her Department has undertaken of the development of these projects.

Clare Short: Given Turkey's relative wealth and development we do not have a bilateral development assistance programme. We did provide Turkey with over £1.4 million in response to the 1999 earthquake disasters, in the form of tents, medical supplies, blankets and a variety of other humanitarian assistance. Turkey also receives substantial assistance from the EU MEDA programme and through the international financial institutions to which DFID is a major contributor. Our share of EC commitments to Turkey during the last three years has been over £50 million.

Zimbabwe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what actions her Department is taking to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe; and what assessment she has made of the impact of President Mugabe's decision not to allow aid agencies to distribute emergency food supplies.

Clare Short: We are closely involved in the development of a humanitarian assistance plan by the United Nations Development Programme in Zimbabwe in which UN agencies and NGOs are expected to play a key role. This plan is presently being discussed by UNDP with the Government of Zimbabwe on behalf of all potential providers of funds. We have also begun an initial supplementary feeding programme for 280,000 people (predominantly children) in the worst hit areas. We have not been informed of any decision not to allow agencies to distribute emergency food supplies.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefit Uprating

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will list the new rates of benefit proposed from April 2002.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Alistair Darling: The information is in the table.
	
		
			   Rates  
			 (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown) 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Attendance Allowance  
			 higher rate 55.30 56.25 
			 lower rate 37.00 37.65 
			 Child Benefit  
			 —only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable (couple) 15.50 15.75 
			 —only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable (loneparent) 17.55 17.55 
			 —each subsequent child 10.35 10.55 
			 Child's Special Allowance see note on Child Dependency Increase 11.35 11.35 
			 Council Tax Benefit 
			 Personal allowances  
			 single 
			 18 to 24 42.00 42.70 
			 25 or over 53.05 53.95 
			 lone parent—18 or over 53.05 53.95 
			 couple—one or both over 18 83.25 84.65 
			 Dependent Children 
			 from birth to September following 16th birthday 32.95 33.50 
			 from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday 33.75 34.30 
			 Premiums 
			 family 14.50 14.75 
			 family (lone parent rate) 22.20 22.20 
			 pensioner 
			 single 39.10 44.20 
			 couple 57.30 65.15 
			 pensioner (enhanced) 
			 single 39.10 44.20 
			 couple 57.30 65.15 
			 pensioner (higher) 
			 single 39.10 44.20 
			 couple 57.30 65.15 
			 disability 
			 single 22.60 23.00 
			 couple 32.25 32.80 
			 enhanced disability premium single rate 11.05 11.25 
			 disabled child rate 11.05 11.25 
			 couple rate 16.00 16.25 
			 severe disability 
			 single 41.55 42.25 
			 couple (one qualifies) 41.55 42.25 
			 couple (both qualify) 83.10 84.50 
			 disabled child 30.00 35.50 
			 carer 24.40 24.80 
			 bereavement 19.45 21.55 
			 Non-dependant deductions 
			 aged 18 or over and in remunerative work 
			 —gross income: £281 or more 6.95 6.95 
			 —gross income: £225—£280.99 5.80 5.80 
			 —gross income: £131—£224.99 4.60 4.60 
			 —gross income less than £131 2.30 2.30 
			 others, aged 18 or over 2.30 2.30 
			 Alternative maximum Council Tax Benefit 
			 second adult on IS or JSA(ib) 25% of Council Tax 25% of Council Tax 
			 second adult's gross income: 
			 —under £131 15% of Council Tax 15% of Council Tax 
			 —£131 to £170 7.5% of Council Tax 7.5% of Council Tax 
			 Capital 
			 upper limit 16000.00 16000.00 
			 amount disregarded 3000.00 3000.00 
			 upper limit (clmt/ptner 60 or over) 16000.00 16000.00 
			 amount disregarded (clmt/ptner 60 or over) 6000.00 6000.00 
			 child disregard 3000.00 3000.00 
			 upper limit of RC/NH 16000.00 16000.00 
			 amount disregarded of RC/NH 10000.00 10000.00 
			 Tariff income 
			 £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit 
			 Earnings disregards 
			 where disability premium awarded 20.00 20.00 
			 various specified employments 20.00 20.00 
			 lone parent 25.00 25.00 
			 where the claimant has a partner 10.00 10.00 
			 single claimant 5.00 5.00 
			 where carer premium awarded 20.00 20.00 
			 childcare charges 94.50 
			 childcare charges (2 or more children) 140.00 
			 Other income disregards 
			 maintenance disregard 15.00 15.00 
			 war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00 
			 certain voluntary and charitable payments 20.00 20.00 
			 student loan 10.00 10.00 
			 student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00 
			 income from boarders: 
			 disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 
			 50% of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00 
			 30 Hr Adult Allowance in DPTC 11.45 11.65 
			 30 Hr Adult Credit in WFTC 11.45 11.65 
			 Expenses for subtenants 
			 furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00 
			 where heating is included, additional 9.55 9.70 
			   
			 Dependency Increases 
			 Adult Dependency Increases 
			 or spouse or person looking after children, with: 
			 retirement pension on own insurance, 43.40 45.20 
			 long term incap. benefit, unemployability supplement 41.75 42.45 
			 severe disablement allowance 25.00 25.45 
			 invalid care allowance 24.95 25.35 
			 short-term incap. benefit if beneficiary over 
			 pension age 40.10 40.80 
			 maternity allowance/short-term incap. ben. 32.55 33.10 
			 Child Dependency Increases, with: 
			 retirement pension, widowed mothers allowance, widowed parents allowance, short-term incap. ben. at the higher rate & long term incap. ben. invalid care allowance 
			 severe disab. allowce, higher rate industrial death benefit, unemployability supplement and short-term incap.benefit if beneficiary over pension age 11.35 11.35 
			 NB—The Overlapping Benefits Regulations provide for the rate of child dependency increases, guardian's allowance and child special allowance to be adjusted where the increase allowance is payable for the eldest eligible child for whom Chb is also payable. The weekly rate of the increase allowance is reduced by the differential (less £3.50 from April 2000) between the rate of ChB payable for the oldest eligible child and that payable for a subsequent child. 
			   
			 Disability Living Allowance 
			 Care Component 
			 Highest 55.30 56.25 
			 Middle 37.00 37.65 
			 Lowest 14.65 14.90 
			 Mobility Component 
			 Higher 38.65 39.30 
			 Lower 14.65 14.90 
			   
			 Earnings Rules 
			 Invalid Care Allowance 72.00 75.00 
			 Limit of earnings from councillor's allowance 60.50 66.00 
			 Therapeutic earnings limit 60.50 66.00 
			 Industrial injuries unemployability supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount) 3,146.00 3,432.00 
			 War pensioners' unemployability supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount) 3,146.00 3,432.00 
			 Adult dependency increases with 
			 short-term incap.benefit where claimant is 
			 (a) under pension age 32.55 33.10 
			 (b) over pension age 40.10 40.80 
			 maternity allowance 32.55 33.10 
			 retirement pension, severe disablement allowance, unemployability supplement where dependant 
			 (a) is living with claimant 53.05 53.95 
			 (b) still qualifies for the tapered earnings rule 45.09 45.09 
			 retirement pension, 43.40 45.20 
			 and unemployability supplement where dependant not living with claimant 41.75 42.45 
			 severe disablement allowance where dependant not living with claimant 25.00 25.45 
			 invalid care allowance 24.95 25.35 
			 Child dependency increases 
			 level at which CDIs are affected earnings of claimant's spouse or partner 
			 for first child 150.00 155.00 
			 for each subsequent child 20.00 20.00 
			   
			 Guardian's Allowance 11.35 11.35 
			 see note on Child Dependency Increase 
			 Housing Benefit 
			 Personal allowances 
			 single 
			 16 to 24 42.00 42.70 
			 25 or over 53.05 53.95 
			 lone parent 
			 under 18 42.00 42.70 
			 18 or over 53.05 53.95 
			 couple 
			 both under 18 63.35 64.45 
			 one or both 18 or over 83.25 84.65 
			 dependent children 
			 from birth to September following 16th birthday 32.95 33.50 
			 from Sept. following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday 33.75 34.30 
			 Premiums 
			 family 14.50 14.75 
			 family (lone parent rate) 22.20 22.20 
			 pensioner 
			 single 39.10 44.20 
			 couple 57.30 65.15 
			 pensioner (enhanced) 
			 single 39.10 44.20 
			 couple 57.30 65.15 
			 pensioner (higher) 
			 single 39.10 44.20 
			 couple 57.30 65.15 
			 disability 
			 single 22.60 23.00 
			 couple 32.25 32.80 
			 enhanced disbility premium single rate 11.05 11.25 
			 disabled child rate 11.05 11.25 
			 couple rate 16.00 16.25 
			 severe disability 
			 single 41.55 42.25 
			 couple (one qualifies) 41.55 42.25 
			 couple (both qualify) 83.10 84.50 
			 disabled child 30.00 35.50 
			 carer 24.40 24.80 
			 bereavement 19.45 21.55 
			 Non-dependant deductions 
			 rent rebates and allowances 
			 aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support 
			 or income based Job Seekers Allowance 
			 aged 18 or over, not in remunerative work or 
			 —gross income less than £88 7.40 7.40 
			 aged 18 or over and in remunerative work 
			 —gross income: less than £88 7.40 7.40 
			 —gross income: £88 to £130.99 17.00 17.00 
			 —gross income: £131 to £169.99 23.35 23.35 
			 —gross income: £170 to £224.99 38.20 38.20 
			 —gross income: £225 to £280.99 43.50 43.50 
			 —gross income: £281 and above 47.75 47.75 
			 Service charges for fuel 
			 heating 9.25 9.40 
			 hot water 1.15 1.15 
			 lighting 0.80 0.80 
			 cooking 1.15 1.15 
			 Amount ineligible for meals 
			 three or more meals a day 
			 single claimant 18.95 19.25 
			 each person in family aged 16 or over 18.95 19.25 
			 each child under 16 9.55 9.70 
			 less than three meals a day 
			 single claimant 12.60 12.80 
			 each person in family aged 16 or over 12.60 12.80 
			 each child under 16 6.35 6.45 
			 breakfast only—claimant and each member of family 2.30 2.35 
			 Capital 
			 upper limit 16,000.00 16,000.00 
			 amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00 
			 upper limit (clmt/ptner 60 or over) 16,000.00 16,000.00 
			 amount disregarded (clmt/ptner 60 or over) 6,000.00 6,000.00 
			 child disregard 3,000.00 3,000.00 
			 upper limit of RC/NH 16,000.00 16,000.00 
			 amount disregarded of RC/NH 10,000.00 10,000.00 
			 Tariff income 
			 £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit 
			 Earnings disregards 
			 where disability premium awarded 20.00 20.00 
			 various specified employments 20.00 20.00 
			 lone parent 25.00 25.00 
			 where the claimant has a partner 10.00 10.00 
			 single claimant 5.00 5.00 
			 where carer premium awarded 20.00 20.00 
			 childcare charges 94.50 
			 childcare charges (2 or more children) 140.00 
			 Other income disregards 
			 maintenance disregard 15.00 15.00 
			 war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00 
			 certain voluntary and charitable payments 20.00 20.00 
			 student loan 10.00 10.00 
			 student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00 
			 income from boarders: 
			 disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 
			 50% of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00 
			 30 Hr Adult Allowance in DPTC 11.45 
			 30 Hr Adult Credit in WFTC 11.45 
			 Expenses for subtenants 
			 furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00 
			 where heating is included, additional 9.55 9.70 
			   
			 Incapacity Benefit 
			 Long-term Incapacity Benefit 69.75 70.95 
			 short-term Incapacity Benefit (under pension age) 
			 lower rate 52.60 53.50 
			 higher rate 62.20 63.25 
			 short-term Incapacity Benefit (over pension age) 
			 lower rate 66.90 68.05 
			 higher rate 69.75 70.95 
			 Increase of Long-term Incap. Ben for age 
			 higher rate 14.65 14.90 
			 lower rate 7.35 7.45 
			 Invalidity Allowance (Transitional) 
			 higher rate 14.65 14.90 
			 middle rate 9.30 9.50 
			 lower rate 4.65 4.75 
			   
			 Income Support 
			 Personal Allowances 
			 single 
			 under 18—usual rate 31.95 32.50 
			 under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances 42.00 42.70 
			 18 to 24 42.00 42.70 
			 25 or over 53.05 53.95 
			 lone parent 
			 under 18—usual rate 31.95 32.50 
			 under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances 42.00 42.70 
			 18 or over 53.05 53.95 
			 couple 
			 both under 18 31.95 32.50 
			 both under 18, one disabled 42.00 42.70 
			 both under 18, with resp. for a child 63.35 64.45 
			 one under 18, one 18–24 42.00 42.70 
			 one under 18, one 25+ 53.05 53.95 
			 both 18 or over 83.25 84.65 
			 dependent children 
			 birth to September following 16th birthday 32.95 33.50 
			 from Sept. following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday 33.75 34.30 
			 Residential Allowance 
			 Except Greater London 63.30 64.40 
			 Greater London 70.45 71.65 
			 Premiums 
			 family 14.50 14.75 
			 family (lone parent rate) 15.90 15.90 
			 pensioner 
			 single 39.10 44.20 
			 couple 57.30 65.15 
			 pensioner (enhanced) 
			 single 39.10 44.20 
			 couple 57.30 65.15 
			 pensioner (higher) 
			 single 39.10 44.20 
			 couple 57.30 65.15 
			 disability 
			 single 22.60 23.00 
			 couple 32.25 32.80 
			 enhanced disability premium single rate 11.05 11.25 
			 disabled child rate 11.05 11.25 
			 ouple rate 16.00 16.25 
			 severe disability 
			 single 41.55 42.25 
			 couple (one qualifies) 41.55 42.25 
			 couple (both qualify) 83.10 84.50 
			 disabled child 30.00 35.50 
			 carer 24.40 24.80 
			 bereavement 19.45 21.55 
			 Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in 
			 residential care homes 
			 old age 225.00 0.00 
			 very dependent elderly 261.00 0.00 
			 mental disorder (not handicap) 238.00 0.00 
			 drug/alchohol dependence 238.00 0.00 
			 mental handicap 271.00 0.00 
			 physical disablement 
			 (a) (under pension age) 308.00 0.00 
			 (b) (over pension age) 225.00 0.00 
			 others 225.00 0.00 
			 maximum Greater London increase 47.00 0.00 
			 nursing homes 
			 mental disorder (not handicap) 337.00 0.00 
			 drug/alchohol dependence 337.00 0.00 
			 mental handicap 343.00 0.00 
			 terminal illness 336.00 0.00 
			 physical disablement 
			 (a) (under pension age) 379.00 0.00 
			 (b) (over pension age) 336.00 0.00 
			 others (including elderly) 336.00 0.00 
			 maximum Greater London increase 52.00 0.00 
			 Amounts for meals where these cannot be purchased within the accommodation 
			 (Daily Rate) 
			 breakfast 1.10 0.00 
			 midday meal 1.55 0.00 
			 evening meal 1.55 0.00 
			 Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in 
			 private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes 
			 personal expenses 16.05 0.00 
			 dependent children 
			 (a) under 11 6.25 0.00 
			 (b) 11 to 15 9.15 0.00 
			 (c) 16 to 17 10.55 0.00 
			 (d) age 18 15.25 0.00 
			 local authority (Pt III) accommodation 72.50 75.50 
			 of which, Personal Expenses 16.05 16.80 
			 Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in: 
			 the Polish home Ilford Park 
			 max amount for accommodation and meals 379.00 385.00 
			 personal expenses for claimant 17.35 17.35 
			 personal expenses for partner 17.35 17.35 
			 personal expenses for dep children 
			 (a) under 11 6.25 6.35 
			 (b) 11 to 15 9.15 9.30 
			 (c) 16 to 17 10.55 10.75 
			 (d) 18 15.55 15.55 
			 personal expenses allowance for claimant admitted or readmitted on or after 1 April 1995 16.05 16.80 
			 Housing costs 
			 deduction for non-dependants aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support or income based Job Seekers Allowance 
			 aged 18 or over, not in work or 
			 —gross income less than £88 7.40 7.40 
			 aged 18 or over and in remunerative work: 
			 —gross income: £88 to £130.99 17.00 17.00 
			 —gross income: £131 to £169.99 23.35 23.35 
			 —gross income: £170 to £224.99 38.20 38.20 
			 —gross income: £225 to £280.99 43.50 43.50 
			 —gross income: £281 and abov 47.75 47.75 
			 Deduction for direct payments arrears of housing, fuel and water costs council tax and fines default, and 2.70 2.70 
			 deductions for child maintenance (standard) 5.40 5.40 
			 deductions for child maintenance (lower) 2.70 2.70 
			 Arrears of Community Charge 
			 court order against claimant 2.70 2.70 
			 court order against couple 4.20 4.25 
			 Maximium rates for recovery of overpayments 
			 ordinary overpayments 8.10 8.10 
			 where claimant convicted of fraud 10.80 10.80 
			 Reduction in benefit for strikers 28.50 29.00 
			 Capital 
			 upper limit 8,000.00 8,000.00 
			 amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00 
			 upper limit (clmt/ptner 60 or over) 12,000.00 12,000.00 
			 amount disregarded (clmt/ptner 60 or over) 6,000.00 6,000.00 
			 child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00 
			 upper limit of RC/NH 16,000.00 16,000.00 
			 amt disregarded of RC/NH 10,000.00 10,000.00 
			 Tariff income 
			 £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit 
			 Disregards 
			 standard earnings 5.00 5.00 
			 couples earnings 10.00 10.00 
			 higher earnings 20.00 20.00 
			 war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00 
			 voluntary and charitable payments 20.00 20.00 
			 student loan 10.00 10.00 
			 student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00 
			 income from boarders: 
			 disregard the fixed amount £20) plus 
			 50% of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00 
			 Expenses for subtenants 
			 furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00 
			 where heating is included, additional 9.55 9.70 
			   
			 Industrial Death Benefit 
			 Widow's pension 
			 higher rate 72.50 75.50 
			 lower rate 21.75 22.65 
			 Widower's pension 72.50 75.50 
			 Industrial Injuries Disablement Pension 
			 8 and over, or under 18 with dependants 
			 100% 112.90 114.80 
			 90% 101.61 103.32 
			 80% 90.32 91.84 
			 70% 79.03 80.36 
			 60% 67.74 68.88 
			 50% 56.45 57.40 
			 40% 45.16 45.92 
			 30% 33.87 34.44 
			 20% 22.58 22.96 
			 Under 18 
			 100% 69.15 70.35 
			 90% 62.24 63.32 
			 80% 55.32 56.28 
			 70% 48.41 49.25 
			 60% 41.49 42.21 
			 50% 34.58 35.18 
			 40% 27.66 28.14 
			 30% 20.75 21.11 
			 20% 13.83 14.07 
			 Maximum life gratuity (lump sum) 7,500.00 7,630.00 
			 Unemployability Supplement 69.75 70.95 
			 plus where appropriate an increase for early incapacity 
			 higher rate 14.65 14.90 
			 middle rate 9.30 9.50 
			 lower rate 4.65 4.75 
			 Maximum reduced earnings allowance 45.16 45.92 
			 Maximum retirement allowance 11.29 11.48 
			 Constant attendance allowance 
			 exceptional rate 90.40 92.00 
			 intermediate rate 67.80 69.00 
			 normal maximum rate 45.20 46.00 
			 part-time rate 22.60 23.00 
			 Exceptionally severe disablement allowance 45.20 46.00 
			   
			 Invalid Care Allowance 41.75 42.45 
			   
			 Jobseekers Allowance 
			 Contribution based JSA—Pers. rates 
			 under 18 31.95 32.50 
			 18 to 24 42.00 42.70 
			 25 or over 53.05 53.95 
			 Income-based JSA—pers. allowances 
			 under 18 31.95 32.50 
			 18 to 24 42.00 42.70 
			 25 or over 53.05 53.95 
			 lone parent 
			 under 18—usual rate 31.95 32.50 
			 under 18—higher rate payable 
			 in specific circumstances 42.00 42.70 
			 18 or over 53.05 53.95 
			 couple 
			 both under 18 31.95 32.50 
			 both under 18, one disabled 42.00 42.70 
			 both under 18, with resp. for a child 63.35 64.45 
			 one under 18, one 18–24 42.00 42.70 
			 one under 18, one 25+ 53.05 53.95 
			 both 18 or over 83.25 84.65 
			 dependent children 
			 from birth to September following 16th birthday 32.95 33.50 
			 from Sept. following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday 33.75 34.30 
			 Residential Allowance 
			 except Greater London 63.30 64.40 
			 Greater London 70.45 71.65 
			 Premiums 
			 family 14.50 14.75 
			 family (lone parent rate) 15.90 15.90 
			 pensioner 
			 single 39.10 44.20 
			 couple 57.30 65.15 
			 ensioner (enhanced) 
			 couple 57.30 65.15 
			 pensioner (higher) 
			 single 39.10 44.20 
			 couple 57.30 65.15 
			 disability 
			 single 22.60 23.00 
			 couple 32.25 32.80 
			 enhanced disability premium single rate 11.05 11.25 
			 disabled child rate 11.05 11.25 
			 couple rate 16.00 16.25 
			 severe disability 
			 single 41.55 42.25 
			 couple (one qualifies) 41.55 42.25 
			 couple (both qualify) 83.10 84.50 
			 disabled child 30.00 35.50 
			 carer 24.40 24.80 
			 bereavement 19.45 21.55 
			 Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in 
			 residential care homes 
			 mental disorder (not handicap) 238.00 0.00 
			 drug/alchohol dependence 238.00 0.00 
			 mental handicap 271.00 0.00 
			 physical disablement 
			 (a) (under pension age) 308.00 0.00 
			 others 225.00 0.00 
			 maximum Greater London increase 47.00 0.00 
			 nursing homes 
			 mental disorder (not handicap) 337.00 0.00 
			 drug/alchohol dependence 337.00 0.00 
			 mental handicap 343.00 0.00 
			 terminal illness 336.00 0.00 
			 physical disablement 
			 (a) (under pension age) 379.00 0.00 
			 others (including elderly) 336.00 0.00 
			 maximum Greater London increase 52.00 0.00 
			 Amounts for meals where these cannot be purchased within the accommodation 
			 (Daily Rate) 
			 breakfast 1.10 0.00 
			 midday meal 1.55 0.00 
			 evening meal 1.55 0.00 
			 Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in 
			 private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes 
			 personal expenses 16.05 0.00 
			 dependent children 
			 (a) under 11 6.25 0.00 
			 (b) 11 to 15 9.15 0.00 
			 (c) 16 to 17 10.55 0.00 
			 (d) age 18 15.25 0.00 
			 local authority (Pt III) accommodation 72.50 75.50 
			 of which, Personal Expenses 16.05 16.80 
			 Housing costs 
			 deduction for non-dependants aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support 
			 or income based Job Seekers Allowance aged 18 or over, not in remunerative work or 
			 —gross income less than £88 7.40 7.40 
			 aged 18 or over and in remunerative work 
			 —gross income: less than £88 7.40 7.40 
			 —gross income: £88 to £130.99 17.00 17.00 
			 —gross income: £131 to £169.99 23.35 23.35 
			 —gross income: £170 to £224.99 38.20 38.20 
			 —gross income: £225 to £280.99 43.50 43.50 
			 —gross income: £281 and above 47.75 47.75 
			 Deduction for direct payments Deductions from JSA (IB) arrears of housing, fuel and water costs council tax and fines default, and 2.70 2.70 
			 Deductions for Child Maintenance 
			 deductions for child maintenance (standard) 5.40 5.40 
			 deductions for child maintenance (lower) 2.70 2.70 
			 Arrears of Community Charge 
			 court order against claimant 2.70 2.70 
			 court order against couple 4.20 4.25 
			 Deductions from JSA (Cont.) 
			 Arrears of Comm. Charge, Council Tax, fines & overpayment recovery 
			 Age 16–17 10.65 10.83 
			 Age 18–24 14.00 14.23 
			 Age 25+ 17.68 17.98 
			 Max. dedn for arrears of Child Supp Maintenance 
			 Age 16–17 10.65 10.83 
			 Age 18–24 14.00 14.23 
			 Age 25+ 17.68 17.98 
			 Maximium rates for recovery of overpayments in JSA(ib) 
			 ordinary overpayments 8.10 8.10 
			 where claimant convicted of fraud 10.80 10.80 
			 Reduction in benefit for strikers 28.50 29.00 
			 Capital 
			 upper limit 8,000.00 8,000.00 
			 amount disregarded 3,000.00 3,000.00 
			 child's limit 3,000.00 3,000.00 
			 upper limit of RC/NH 16,000.00 16,000.00 
			 amount disregarded of RC/NH 10,000.00 10,000.00 
			 upper limit (clmt/ptner 60 or over) 12,000.00 12,000.00 
			 amount disregarded (clmt/ptner 60 or over) 6,000.00 6,000.00 
			 Tariff income 
			 £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit 
			 Disregards 
			 standard earnings 5.00 5.00 
			 couples earnings 10.00 10.00 
			 higher earnings 20.00 20.00 
			 war disablement pension and war widow's pension 10.00 10.00 
			 voluntary and charitable payments 20.00 20.00 
			 student loan 10.00 10.00 
			 student's covenanted income 5.00 5.00 
			 income from boarders: 
			 disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 
			 50% of the balance of the charge 20.00 20.00 
			 Expenses for subtenants 
			 furnished or unfurnished 4.00 4.00 
			 where heating is included, additional 9.55 9.70 
			   
			 Maternity Allowance 
			 New standard rate 62.20 75.00 
			 MA threshold 30.00 30.00 
			   
			 Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis, and Miscellaneous Diseases Scheme and the Workmen's Compensation (Supplementation) 
			 Total disablement allowance and major incapacity allowance (maximum) 112.90 114.80 
			 Partial disablement allowance 41.75 42.45 
			 Unemployability supplement 69.75 70.95 
			 plus where appropriate increases for early incapacity 
			 higher rate 14.65 14.90 
			 middle rate 9.30 9.50 
			 lower rate 4.65 4.75 
			 Constant attendance allowance 
			 exceptional rate 90.40 92.00 
			 intermediate rate 67.80 69.00 
			 normal maximum rate 45.20 46.00 
			 part-time rate 22.60 23.00 
			 Exceptionally severe disablement allowance 45.20 46.00 
			 Lesser incapacity allowance 
			 maximum rate of allowance 41.75 42.45 
			 based on loss of earnings over 55.30 56.25 
			   
			 Retirement Pension 
			 Category A or B 72.50 75.50 
			 Category B(lower)—husband's insurance 43.40 45.20 
			 Category C or D —non-contributory 43.40 45.20 
			 Category C(lower)—non-contributory 25.95 27.00 
			 Additional pension Increase by: 1.7% 
			 Increments to:— Increase by: 
			 Basic pension  4.1% 
			 Additional pension  1.7% 
			 Contracted out deductions (CODs) (Pre Apr '88 earnings)  1.7% 
			 Graduated Retirement Benefit (GRB)  1.7% 
			 Increments to CODs (Apr.88—Apr. 97 earngs) Nil 
			 [3.0% paid by schemes] 
			 Graduated Retirement Benefit (unit)(pence) 9.06 9.21 
			 Graduated Retirement Benefit (Inherited) Increase by: 1.7% 
			 Addition at age 80 0.25 0.25 
			   
			 Severe Disablement Allowance 
			 Basic rate 42.15 42.85 
			 Age-related addition (from Dec 90) 
			 Higher rate 14.65 14.90 
			 Middle rate 9.30 9.50 
			 Lower rate 4.65 4.75 
			   
			 Statutory Maternity Pay 
			 Earnings threshold 72.00 75.00 
			 Lower rate 62.20 75.00 
			   
			 Statutory Sick Pay 
			  
			 Earnings threshold 72.00 75.00 
			 Standard rate 62.20 63.25 
			 Widow's Benefit 
			 Widowed mother's allowance 72.50 75.50 
			 Widow's pension 
			 standard rate 72.50 75.50 
			 age-related 
			 age 54 (49) 67.43 70.22 
			 53 (48) 62.35 64.93 
			 52 (47) 57.28 59.65 
			 51 (46) 52.20 54.36 
			 50 (45) 47.13 49.08 
			 49 (44) 42.05 43.79 
			 48 (43) 36.98 38.51 
			 47 (42) 31.90 33.22 
			 46 (41) 26.83 27.94 
			 45 (40) 21.75 22.65 
			 Note: For deaths occurring before 11 April 1988 refer to age-points shown in brackets. 
			 Bereavement Benefit 
			 Bereavement payment (lump sum) 2000.00 2000.00 
			 Widowed parent's allowance 72.50 75.50 
			 Bereavement Allowance 
			 standard rate 72.50 75.50 
			 age-related 
			 age 54 67.43 70.22 
			 53 62.35 64.93 
			 52 57.28 59.65 
			 51 52.20 54.36 
			 50 47.13 49.08 
			 49 42.05 43.79 
			 48 36.98 38.51 
			 47 31.90 33.22 
			 46 26.83 27.94 
			 45 21.75 22.65

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to change the (a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limit for 2001–02.

Nick Brown: Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the Department for Work and Pensions Departmental Expenditure Limit will be increased by £3,338,291,000 from £3,964,124,000 to £7,302,415,000 and the administration cost limit by £1,336,666,000 from £3,566,177,000 to £4,902,843,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Resources Capital 
		
		
			 Change 3,230,537 107,754 
			 New DEL 7,091,614 210,801 
			 Of which: voted 5,843,935 121,461 
			 Non voted 1,247,679 89,340 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:
	(i) the transfer of the Employment Service from the Department for Education and Skills (£2,191,389 of which £1,239,729 are administration costs), the transfer of certain functions previously undertaken by Department for Education and Employment (£225,468,000 of which £18,322,000 are administration costs) and the transfer of the War Pensions Agency to Ministry of Defence (£35,799,000 of which £36,466,000 are administration costs) as announced by the Prime Minister on 8 June.
	(ii) take up of end year flexibility entitlements (£178,291,000 of which £136,213,000 are administration costs) announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Table 6 of the 2000–01 Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (Cm 5243).
	(iii) an increase of £4,612,000 (administration costs) in provision from the Employment Opportunities Fund in DEL for expenditure on the new deals for the unemployed and sick and disabled.
	(iv) an increase of £78,000 (administration costs) from the repayment arrangement with Department of Trade and Industry for the cost incurred by Department for Work and Pensions on the Post Office General Practitioners pilot.
	(v) a net reduction of £1,302,000 (administration costs) due to a transfer to the Scottish Executive of the Resettlement programme in Scotland (£1,318,000) and from the Scottish Executive (£16,000) towards the cost of the Family Resources Survey.
	(vi) an increase in provision of £509,000 (administration costs) following a transfer from Department of Health towards the project costs of preserved rights cases and care direct.
	(vii) a net reduction of £4,679,000 (administration costs) due to a transfer to Inland Revenue of Programme Protection Funding (£750,000), for the cost of work being performed by Inland Revenue to assist the Benefits Agency clearing a backlog of CA 5400 work (£500,000), the cost of work being performed by Inland Revenue on NIRS development work (£5,000,000) and a transfer of £1,571,000 from Inland Revenue for accommodation office services at Newcastle.
	(viii) an increase of £1,229,000 (administration costs) from the reserve under the Debt Recovery Incentive Scheme.
	(ix) an increase of £362,000 (administration costs) from an allocation to the department from the evidence based policy fund.
	(x) a net reduction of £165,000 due at transfer of £190,000 to Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for Rough Sleepers and a transfer from Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions of £25,000 (administration costs) for Local PSAs.
	(xi) a transfer of £200,000 (administration costs) from Lord Chancellor's Department to meet the cost of work being provided to them by the departmental central index.
	(xii) an increase of £20,000,000 (administration costs) from the Employment Opportunities Fund to enable Employment Services to maintain the present office network during the review of the Jobcentre Plus future network.
	(xiii) an increase in provision of £117,400,000 (administration costs) from the Employment Opportunities Fund to set up the Jobcentre Plus Pathfinder offices.
	(xiv) a reduction in provision of £1,200,000 as result of a transfer to Department for Education and Skills to cover the cost of work performed by the Adult Learning Inspectorate for Employment Services.
	(xv) an increase of £78,000 in appropriations in aid.
	(xvi) a net reduction in Employment Opportunities Fund requirements of £8,439,000 following a reapportionment of expenditure within and between RfRs.
	(xvii) as a result of the machinery of government changes there is an increase in the Department for Work and Pensions Departmental Expenditure Limit of £542,661,000 which is non-Voted.
	(xviii) administration cost limit changes arise from a reduction of £138,928,000 due to a reclassification of Employment Opportunities Fund expenditure and an increase of £20,638,000 in administration costs related appropriations in aid.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from:
	(i) the transfer of the employment service from the Department for Education and Skills (£12,550,000) and the transfer of the War Pensions Agency to Ministry of Defence (£300,000) ) as announced by the Prime Minister on 8 June.
	(ii) take up of end year flexibility entitlements of £81,200,000 announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Table 6 of the 2000–01 Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (Cm 5243).
	(iii) an increase in provision of £4,800,000 from the Employment Opportunities Fund to set up the Jobcentre Plus Pathfinder offices.
	(iv) an increase of £2,000,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund for Supported Employment.
	(v) as a result of the machinery of government changes there is an increase in the Department for Work and Pensions Departmental Expenditure Limit of £7,504,000 which is non-Voted.
	All of these changes will either be offset by transfers or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

New Deal for Communities (Leicester Braunstone)

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the operation of the Braunstone Community Association in respect of the new deal; what the cost is of the scheme; what plans he has to inquire into the administration of the scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: I have been asked to reply.
	Leicester Braunstone is one of the New Deal for Community Round 1 Pathfinders and has an overall grant of £49.5 million to spend over up to 10 years.
	The scheduled mid year review of the Braunstone New Deal for Communities Programme took place in Braunstone on 22 November 2001. The review considered among other things the strategic direction and delivery of the programme, including progress in delivering the Braunstone Community Association 2001–02 Action Plan, developments in partnership working and community involvement.
	Proceedings, which were chaired by an official from the Government Office for the East Midlands, were conducted in a positive atmosphere. Nothing substantive arose during the review to change the status of the programme.
	The next few weeks will be very important for the Braunstone New Deal for Communities Programme as the BCA awaits the findings of an independent investigation it set up to look into various allegations related to its internal relationships. That investigation is expected to report by mid-December.
	In the meantime, in order to protect the public purse the Government office for the East Midlands has suspended delegated authorities to the BCA to commit expenditure. The Government office is also discussing with auditors the terms of reference for a mid-year audit of the NDC Programme (to end September), which, with evidence arising from the findings of the independent investigation, will allow the Government office what further steps it needs to take in order to secure the future of the Braunstone NDC Programme.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Terrorism

John Smith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he is taking to co-ordinate departmental policies on mass terrorist threats.

Christopher Leslie: Under the leadership of the Civil Contingencies Committee, the Government are conducting a comprehensive review of our tried and tested contingency plans in the light of the events of 11 September. We are taking all sensible steps to make sure the country is well prepared for any emergency or threat.

Social Exclusion

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with the Government office for the east midlands to ensure that projects designed to tackle social exclusion take into account the needs of areas that have small pockets of deprivation.

Barbara Roche: I discussed implementation of the Government's programmes to tackle social exclusion with the Government office for the east-midlands on 25 July.
	The targets we have set for mainstream programmes, which will receive substantial increases in resources, will lead to substantial improvements in deprived neighbourhoods across the country.
	The local authority districts receiving additional support from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund include over 80 per cent. of the most deprived wards in England and 90 per cent. of the people living in the most deprived wards.

Social Exclusion

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what policy projects the social exclusion unit is working on.

Barbara Roche: The unit is currently working on four projects, looking at:
	re-offending by ex-prisoners;
	young runaways;
	educational attainment of children in care; and
	transport and social exclusion.

Rural Policy

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the co-ordination of rural policy.

Christopher Leslie: Rural policy is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with whom my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has on-going discussions.

E-Government Initiative

David Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the progress of the e-Government initiative.

Christopher Leslie: Delivery is at the heart of our agenda for transforming public services and e-Government is one of the most powerful catalysts we have for achieving that transformation. The Office of the e-Envoy produces both an annual report and regular monthly reports giving details of the progress that is being made. The next annual report will be published on 30 November. The latest figures on progress towards the target of making Government services available electronically by 2005 show that over 50 per cent. of Government services are "enabled" now. And Departments predict that 74 per cent. of services will be e-enabled by the end of 2002.

Civil Service Pay

David Heath: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his policy on civil service pay.

Christopher Leslie: The Government policy on pay in the civil service is that effective reward and performance management systems are instrumental to the delivery of better public services. Together they should create a climate in which civil servants want to give of their best and strive for continuous improvement.

Civil Service

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his oral statement of 31 October 2001, Official Report, column 866, what action he has taken to introduce legislation to give constitutional protection to the civil service; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Wright: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to introduce legislation on the civil service.

Christopher Leslie: The Government are committed to legislation on the Civil Service and are putting in hand arrangements for wide consultation in advance of its introduction.

Agriculture

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the regional co-ordination of assistance for the rehabilitation of the agriculture industry.

Barbara Roche: The Government are committed to assisting the development of a sustainable, competitive and diverse farming and food sector within a thriving rural economy that advances environmental, health and animal welfare goals.
	The rural recovery co-ordinator, Lord Haskins, and the Rural Task Force each published their reports on 18 October with recommendations for the short term survival of rural business, and mid term strategies for rural recovery after the foot and mouth disease outbreak. The Government will respond shortly to both reports.
	My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has ongoing discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs on these and other matters.

Government Departments (Co-ordination)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent steps he has taken to improve co-ordination between Government departments in connection with the Better Regulation Task Force and the delivery unit.

Christopher Leslie: The Deputy Prime Minister is responsible for ensuring better co-ordination across Government in the delivery of a broad range of Government policies, not least through the work of Regional Co-ordination Unit, which reports to the Deputy Prime Minister.
	The Better Regulation Task Force is an independent advisory body that makes recommendations to Government on the effectiveness and credibility of government regulation.
	The Prime Minister's Delivery Unit has a key role in strengthening capacity across Whitehall to deliver the Government's priorities in the priority areas of health, education, crime and asylum, and transport. My right hon. and noble Friend, Lord Macdonald of Tradeston has day-to-day responsibility for the work of the Delivery Unit.

Ministerial Visits

Lawrie Quinn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what visits to Government regional offices Cabinet Office Ministers have made since 7 June.

Barbara Roche: Since 7 June, I have visited the Government Offices for the East of England, East Midlands, South West, North East and North West. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has visited the Government Offices for the North East, South West and North West. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary visited the Government Office for Yorkshire and Humber.

Ministerial Visits

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on how many occasions the Cabinet Secretary has visited (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland since his appointment.

Christopher Leslie: Since his appointment in January 1998, the Cabinet Secretary has visited Northern Ireland once, Wales six times and Scotland five times.

Social Exclusion Unit

Ben Chapman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the work of the social exclusion unit.

Barbara Roche: The Social Exclusion Unit was set up by the Prime Minister to provide joined-up solutions to specific social exclusion problems. It delivers long-term strategies for change but has already demonstrated the effectiveness of its approach.
	The unit has produced reports on five main areas:
	16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training;
	teenage pregnancy;
	rough sleeping;
	truancy and school exclusions; and
	a national strategy for neighbourhood renewal.
	The unit is currently working on four projects, looking at:
	re-offending by ex-prisoners;
	young runaways;
	educational attainment of children in care; and
	transport and social exclusion.

Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of public appointments made since 1997 have been women; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The information requested by my hon. Friend is not available in the form required. However, as at 31 March 2000, 33 per cent. of public appointments were held by women, compared to 32 per cent. as at September 1997 and 23 per cent. in 1992.
	The Government are committed to the goal of achieving equal representation of men and women in public appointments. All Departments have individual plans containing details of the measures being taken to increase the representation of women and other currently under-represented groups on the boards of their public bodies. New departmental action plans for the period 2002 to 2005 will be published next year.

Access to Official Information

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will respond to the report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration of 13 November on Access to Official Information.

David Blunkett: holding answer 16 November 2001
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Government's position remains as set out in the Fourth Report of the Parliamentary Ombudsman on Access to Official Information. The Government have nothing further to add.

New Deal (Civil Service)

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people have been employed in the civil service under the new deal for the young and unemployed.

Christopher Leslie: As at 1 October 2001 the information on civil service Departments (including their agencies) participating as employers in the new deal is as follows:
	
		New deal starts since programme began, as at 1 October 2001
		
			 Main department (including agencies) Number 
		
		
			 Cabinet Office 32 
			 Privy Council Office 1 
			 Charity Commission 38 
			 Department for Culture, Media and Sport 4 
			 Ministry of Defence 146 
			 Department for Education and Skills 140 
			 Office for Standards in Education 1 
			 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 101 
			 Intervention Board 4 
			 Export Credits Guarantee Department 4 
			 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 11 
			 Government Communications Headquarters 2 
			 Department of Health 72 
			 Home Office 121 
			 Department for International Development 7 
			 Law Officers' Departments 23 
			 Lord Chancellor's Department 64 
			 National Assembly for Wales 39 
			 Northern Ireland Office 14 
			 Scottish Executive 98 
			 Registers of Scotland 1 
			 Department of Trade and Industry 72 
			 Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 108 
			 Health and Safety Executive 28 
			 Office of the Rail Regulator 1 
			 Office of Water Services 1 
			 Ordnance Survey 1 
			 Shadow Strategic Rail Authority (NDPB wef 1 February 2001) 1 
			 HM Treasury 7 
			 Office of Government Commerce 1 
			 HM Customs and Excise 129 
			 Board of Inland Revenue 463 
			 Office for National Statistics 11 
			 Royal Mint 3 
			 Department for Work and Pensions 3,693 
			  
			 Total 5,442

Departmental Expenditure Limit

Andrew Miller: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to change the Cabinet Office departmental expenditure limit and the administration cost limit for 2001–02.

Christopher Leslie: Subject to Parliamentary approval of the Winter Supplementary Estimate the Cabinet Office Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) (Resources and Capital) will be increased by £145,606,000 from £202,658,000 to £348,264,000 and the administration costs limit will be increased by £104,803,000 from £141,950,000 to £246,753,000.
	Within the DEL change the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the table.
	
		£000 
		
			 Resources  
		
		
			 Change 121,427 
			 New DEL 264,449 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 255,844 
			 Non-voted 8,605 
			   
			 Capital  
			 Change 24,179 
			 New DEL 83,815 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 83,815 
			 Non-voted — 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from transfers of £115,271,000 from other Departments for Machinery of Government changes and other arrangements and the draw-down of end-year flexibility of £6,156,000.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from the draw-down of end-year flexibility of £22,718,000 and transfers of £1,461,000 from other Departments for Machinery of Government changes.
	The increases will be offset by inter-departmental transfers and changed to the DEL reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.
	These changes when combined with the totals for the Central Office of Information and Civil Superannuation increase DEL by £145,606,000 from £260,469,000 to £406,075,000.

Departmental Policies (Women)

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how his Department monitors the impact of its policies on women.

Barbara Roche: It is important that departments mainstream women's issues into policy making and delivery. The Women and Equality Unit has developed a framework to encourage policy-makers to challenge each stage of policy making. It asks a series of questions to help ensure that policies meet the different needs of women and men. It has been piloted in the Departments of Health and Lord Chancellor's Department and will be reviewed in the New Year.
	Through its research and other work, the Women and Equality Unit monitors the impact on women of policies in areas of key importance to women.

EU Regulation

Jim Knight: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made by the Mandelkern Group on better regulation since the last report to this House in March.

Christopher Leslie: The Mandelkern Group has met five times since March 2001 and at its last meeting on 12–13 November adopted its Final Report. This report was presented by the group's chairman, M. Dieudonné Mandelkern, to the Internal Market, Consumer and Tourism Council on 26 November and has been sent to the Presidents of the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Ministers. I have placed a copy of the report in the Library of the House.
	The report represents a significant achievement. For the first time, representatives of all fifteen member states have signed up to a document setting out in detail the actions that need to be undertaken in order to improve Europe's regulatory environment. It contains a number of concrete, practical recommendations and an Action Plan with realistic timings. In particular, the Action Plan asks the Commission to:
	Establish a new, comprehensive impact assessment system, covering all Commission regulatory proposals, by June 2002;
	Establish a central web-based consultation register for all EU consultations by June 2002;
	Adopt a standard minimum 16-week consultation period from March 2002;
	Spearhead a 40 per cent. reduction in the volume of Community acts by June 2004, arising from concerted codification of European legislation by the institutions;
	Launch a new targeted simplification programme by June 2002 of existing European legislation in all areas; and
	Create throughout the Commission a centrally supported, effective network for better regulation by June 2002.
	The Government fully support the Mandelkern Group's report and will be working closely with other member states and the institutions of the EU to seek acceptance and timely implementation of its main recommendations.

Civil Partnership Registration Scheme

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Government have to introduce a civil partnership registration scheme.

Barbara Roche: Civil partnership registration and associated rights and responsibilities raise a number of complex issues, which have prompted a growing debate within society. The Government are watching this debate with interest; however, it does not have a settled view.
	These issues potentially have significant financial and administrative implications and the Government cannot commit themselves to making any changes in these areas before undertaking a comprehensive analysis of all the implications. The Government will now be examining the issues in detail.

PRIME MINISTER

Security and Intelligence Agencies (Departmental Spending Limits)

Mark Tami: To ask the Prime Minister what plans there are to change the (a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 2001–02 for the security and intelligence agencies.

Tony Blair: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the departmental expenditure limit (DEL) for the security and intelligence agencies will be increased by £12,764,000 from £879,069,000 to £891,833,000 and the administration cost limit will be increased by £2,424,000 from £439,530,000 to £441,954,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Of which:  
			  Change New DEL Voted Non-voted 
		
		
			 Resources 10,214,000 779,284,000 779,284,000 — 
			 Capital 2,550,000 112,549,000 112,549,000 — 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:
	1. the take up of serious crime funding allocated to the Home Office at SR2000 of £9,310,000;
	2. a PES transfer of £650,000 from the Home Office Overseas Drugs-Related Assistance Programme;
	3. a transfer from DFID's DUP reserve of £100,000;
	4. a PES transfer of £146,000 to the Cabinet Office for fast stream recruitment;
	5. the take up of end-year flexibility (EYF) carried forward from 2001–02 of £300,000.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from £2,250,000 for serious crime funding allocated to the Home Office at SR2000 and the take up of £300,000 of DEL EYF.
	The increases will be offset by inter-departmental transfers and the take up of DEL EYF and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Delivery Unit

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the work of the Delivery Unit.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 19 November 2001, Official Report, column 83W.

Delivery Unit

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister what guidance he has provided to inform the work of the Delivery Unit.

Tony Blair: I established the Delivery Unit to work closely with Departments to ensure that the Government achieve their delivery priorities during this Parliament across the key areas of public service, health, education, crime, asylum and transport.

Travel Costs (Concorde)

David Laws: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), of 14 November 2001, Official Report, column 783W, on travel costs, for what reasons the estimated cost of his travel on Concorde on 7 November will not be made available till the end of the current financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: A detailed list of Cabinet Ministers' visits overseas, and information on spend by all Ministers on travel overseas for the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year.

PIU Energy Review

Michael Jack: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the number of organisations, bodies and individuals who have made a submission to the PIU Energy Review.

Tony Blair: 467 submissions have been made to the PIU Energy Review.

DEFENCE

Plastic Baton Rounds (Northern Ireland)

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many plastic baton rounds have been fired by military personnel in Northern Ireland; and what percentage of the total number of plastic baton round firings this represents.

Adam Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the then Minister for the Armed Forces on 13 March 2001, Official Report, column 507W, which lists the number of baton rounds fired by the military since 1991. Up until 22 November, 16 baton rounds have been fired in 2001. Since 1991 the Army have fired 2,110 baton rounds compared with 12,158 by the Royal Ulster Constabulary/ Police Service of Northern Ireland representing 15 per cent. of the total number of baton rounds fired.

Armed Forces (Drugs)

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of each of the armed forces tested positive for the use of controlled substances in each of the years since testing began, expressed as (a) a proportion of those tested and (b) by substance.

Adam Ingram: The percentage of armed forces personnel testing positive for the use of controlled substances in each year since testing began, and the types of substances detected is given in the table.
	
		
			  Personnel tested Personnel testing positive Percentage of personnel testing positive Confirmed substances Number of confirmed substances 
		
		
			 Royal Navy  
			 1997(1) 13,000 14 0.11 Cannabis 13 
			 Amphetamine 1 
			   
			 1998 12,218 14 0.11 Cocaine 2 
			 Ecstasy 1 
			 Cannabis 10 
			 Amphetamine 1 
			 1999 13,039 33 0.24 Cocaine 3 
			 Ecstasy 2 
			 Cannabis 26 
			 Amphetamine 2 
			 2000 13,951 57 0.36 Cocaine 9 
			 Ecstasy 17 
			 Cannabis 27 
			 Amphetamine 2 
			 Benzodiazepine 2 
			   
			 2001(2) 10,814 51 0.47 Cocaine 7 
			 Ecstasy 13 
			 Cannabis 29 
			 Benzodiazepine 2 
			 Army  
			 1995 18,311 178 0.97 Cannabis 126 
			 Ecstasy 10 
			 Cocaine 1 
			 Amphetamine 6 
			 Other 2 
			 1996 53,287 315 0.59 Cannabis 253 
			 Ecstasy 10 
			 Cocaine 5 
			 Amphetamine 25 
			 Other 0 
			   
			 1997 78,865 485 0.61 Cannabis 422 
			 Ecstasy 16 
			 Cocaine 12 
			 Amphetamine 61 
			 Other 3 
			 1998 84,474 428 0.52 Cannabis 339 
			 Ecstasy 9 
			 Cocaine 26 
			 Amphetamine 50 
			 Other 2 
			 1999 85,566 437 0.51 Cannabis 301 
			 Ecstasy 47 
			 Cocaine 51 
			 Amphetamine 30 
			 Other 6 
			   
			 2000 117,659 702 0.60 Cannabis 461 
			 Ecstasy 155 
			 Cocaine 65 
			 Amphetamine 27 
			 Other 13 
			 2001(3) 75,152 527 0.70 Cannabis 299 
			 Ecstasy 183 
			 Cocaine 82 
			 Amphetamine 19 
			 Other 26 
			   
			 RAF  
			 1998(4) 2,712 1 0.04 Cannabis 1 
			 1999 13,211 10 0.08 Cocaine 2 
			 Cannabis 8 
			 2000 10.451 14 0.13 Cocaine 3 
			 Ecstasy 2 
			 Cannabis 8 
			 Benzodiazepine 1 
			 2001(3) 8,768 14 0.16 Cocaine 2 
			 Ecstasy 1 
			 Cannabis 11 
		
	
	(1) Testing introduced 1 April 1997
	(2) To 30 October 2001
	(3) To 30 September 2001
	(4) Testing introduced 1 November 1998
	It should be noted that individuals may test positive for more than one substance. Individual statistics may not therefore equate directly to total positive test results (i.e. one person may be recorded as a positive in two or three of the individual drug statistics).

Recruitment

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new measures he has introduced to recruit into the armed forces since 11 September.

Adam Ingram: The Army recruiting initiative 'Operation London Soldier' took place from 16 to 24 September 2001. This operation had been planned for some months before. All other initiatives, for all three services, have been introduced prior to 11 September.

Recruitment

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the opening of Army careers offices and armed forces careers offices on Saturday mornings.

Adam Ingram: The core opening hours for the tri-service armed forces careers offices (AFCOs) and their satellite recruiting offices are from 09.00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday. Trials of Saturday opening were carried out in 1988, 1993, 1996 and 2000. During the 2000 trial the level of recruiting activity was monitored but the result from many areas was found to be disappointing. From autumn 2000 the AFCO staffs were authorised to open or close offices on Saturdays based on local conditions, resources and priorities.

Challenger

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average life expectancy of air filters used in those Challenger 2 tanks which participated in Operation Saif Sareea 2 was.

Adam Ingram: During the first phase of Exercise Saif Sareea 2, the life of the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank air filter reported from theatre was in the region of four hours. Information is currently being collected for the second phase of the exercise, which was held in a different part of Oman.

Spain (Officers Exchange)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers on exchange between the UK and Spain are serving in (a) UK armed forces and (b) Spanish armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 26 November 2001
	One Royal Navy exchange officer is attached to the Spanish navy and is reciprocated by a Spanish navy officer serving with the Royal Navy. In addition, we have a RAF liaison officer based in Spain and a Spanish liaison officer attached to the British Army.

Active Service

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) armoured regiments, (b) infantry battalions, (c) artillery regiments, (d) signals regiments and (e) RAF squadrons have seen active service in conflicts over the last 15 years; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Civil Affairs Group

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the composition and capabilities of the Civil Affairs Group.

Adam Ingram: Currently, the Civil Affairs Group comprises seven Regular Army Officers, a small administrative team and some 80 Territorial Army personnel. The group can deliver staff planning teams, tactical support teams and functional specialists as required.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to change the departmental expenditure limits for 2001–02.

Geoff Hoon: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Ministry of Defence departmental expenditure limit will be increased by £107,080,000 from £23,769,498,000 to £23,876,578,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on the resources and capital components is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  £000 
		
		
			 Resources  
			 Change 106,780 
			 New DEL 18,371,338 
			 Of which:  
			 Voted 18,144,740 
			 Non-voted 226,598 
			   
			 Capital  
			 Change 300 
			 New DEL 5,505,240 
			 Of which:  
			 Voted 5,407,470 
			 Non-voted 97,770 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises principally from:
	The take-up of the end-of-year flexibility carried forward from 2000–01 of £72,917,000.
	A net resource DEL transfer of £35,299,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions for the transfer of the running costs of the War Pensions Agency.
	A transfer of £1,328,000 to the Cabinet Office for BBC World Monitoring expenses.
	A transfer of £432,000 to the Cabinet Office for fast stream recruitment expenses.
	A transfer of £176,000 to the Lord Chancellor's Department for legal aid expenses on human rights.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL of £0.3 million arises from a transfer from the Department for Work and Pensions for the War Pensions Agency.
	The increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Afghanistan

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for personnel involved in Exercise Saif Sareea 2 to be deployed to Afghanistan to aid in the operations in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: Exercise Saif Sareea 2 finished on 29 October. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State announced on 26 October 2001, Official Report, columns 549–64, that a force drawn from the exercise would be retained in the region to provide the operational flexibility to deal with a wide range of contingencies.
	This force comprises an Amphibious Task Group based around HMS Illustrious and HMS Fearless, including 200 men of 40 Commando Royal Marines (with the rest of 40 Commando held at high readiness in the UK), and Nimrod maritime patrol and Hercules transport aircraft. A Tomahawk-armed submarine presence and a number of reconnaissance and air-to-air refuelling aircraft are also in the region.
	Following the fall of Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul, a number of units from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines that had taken part in Exercise Saif Sareea 2 were placed on reduced notice to move in case they were required to support humanitarian or other missions in Afghanistan.
	Royal Marines from 40 Commando have subsequently been deployed to Bagram airfield. The deployment to Afghanistan of other units or personnel which took part in Exercise Saif Sareea 2 remains under review: no decisions have been taken.

September 11

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of 11 September on (a) NATO, (b) the EU and (c) the UK's regional interests; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: NATO's response to the 11 September attacks included the invocation of Article 5 of the Washington treaty, which states that an attack on one Ally is an attack on all, for the first time in the Alliance's history. This has been supported by a series of specific actions, including deployment of NATO's Airborne Early Warning Force and the Standing Naval Force Mediterranean. The longer-term implications of the events of 11 September, including for the Alliance's force structures and for relations with Russia, are currently under discussion within the Alliance.
	The EU Special Council on 21 September agreed to co-operate with the US in bringing to justice and punishing the perpetrators of the 11 September attacks, and approved a set of measures to combat terrorism, including enhancing police and judicial co-operation, developing legal instruments, putting an end to the funding of terrorism and strengthening air security. The General Affairs Council on 8 October, and again on 20 November, confirmed that all partners strongly support the US and UK military action.
	The attacks have reinforced the need to build and maintain defence relationships with partners throughout the world. The unprecedented level of international support in the fight against terrorism demonstrates clearly the value of having strong defence relationships. As part of our work on a further chapter to the Strategic Defence Review, we are looking very closely at the impact of 11 September on international organisations, including NATO and the EU, and on our regional interests, not least given the need to sustain long-term coalitions against international terrorism. I expect to publish conclusions in the early summer of next year.

Tax-free Pensions

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) pensioners, (b) widows of pensioners and (c) their estates were identified as entitled to tax free pensions under the pre-1973 Attributable Tax Exercise of 1999; and how many fell into the same categories in cases arising from aggravated invaliding.

Lewis Moonie: We do not have available figures for the numbers of pre-1973 Royal Navy and Royal Air Force pensioners, widows of pensioners or estates entitled to tax free attributable pensions. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, tax exemption was applied as appropriate in these cases.
	The number of pre-1973 Army pensions, widows of pensioners or their estates identified as entitled to tax free pensions is as follows:
	(a) 182 pre-1973 pensioners.
	(b) 73 pre-1973 widows.
	(c) Nil estates.
	In these cases, as well as 787 post-1973 cases, tax exemption was not applied correctly. However this has been remedied in all but 26 cases, which are still under investigation.

Defence Logistics Organisation

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the sums provided for (a) capital expenditure and (b) current expenditure for the Defence Logistics Organisation in the current financial year.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 31 October 2001, Official Report, columns 659–60W.

Tornado GR1

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to (a) replace and (b) upgrade the Tornado GR1 aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: We are continuing to upgrade the RAF's fleet of Tornado GR1 aircraft to GR4 standard. The GR4 has been in operational service with the RAF since June and to date 104 GR4s have been delivered.
	The GR4 upgrade includes: Hand on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS); Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR); improved navigation and warning systems (LINS/GPS/GPWS). In addition, the GR4 is now able to deploy the all-weather interim precision guided bomb, as well as laser guided and unguided bombs. The upgrade also paves the way for the eventual integration of Storm Shadow, Brimstone and the Raptor reconnaissance pod on to GR4.
	The UK has a requirement to replace, towards the end of the next decade, the strike capability currently provided by the Tornado GR4 strike aircraft. This programme is known as the Future Offensive Air System (FOAS). While no decisions have yet been taken we are currently looking at a potential mix of platforms to deliver precision strike capability—including Long Range Cruise Missiles, Uninhabited Combat Air Vehicles and manned aircraft.

Regimental Running Costs

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the running costs of (a) an armoured regiment and (b) an artillery regiment, for the latest year for which figures are available.

Adam Ingram: It is currently not possible accurately to provide the information requested. The introduction of improved accountancy procedures across the Ministry of Defence will enable us to do so in the future.

EU Rapid Reaction Force

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the use of the EU rapid reaction force for (a) crisis management and (b) war- fighting.

Geoff Hoon: There is no standing EU rapid reaction force. An EU-led crisis management operation would take place only where NATO as a whole is not engaged. The decision to proceed on a particular operation would be taken on a case by case basis, but the types of operation the EU might undertake could include humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping tasks and tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peacemaking. These are commonly known as the Petersberg Tasks. The European Security and Defence Policy does not cover war-fighting operations.

Ex-service Men (Rough Sleepers)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the number of ex-service men who are rough sleepers; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence does not monitor the number of rough sleepers. However, MOD has been working in partnership with the Rough Sleeper's Unit (RSU) to put in place preventive measures to reduce the ex-service component of rough sleeping, against the target of making an overall reduction in rough sleeping of at least two-thirds by 2002.
	The Social Exclusion Unit Report published in December 1999 highlighted that between a quarter and one fifth of rough sleepers had been in the armed forces at some stage, predominantly as national service men. Since then the RSU in partnership with the MOD has set up schemes to help those vulnerable to rough sleeping, before, at the point of and after discharge.
	Figures published in August by the RSU showed that as of June 2001 there had been a 62 per cent. reduction.
	But we are not complacent. As part of the Government's Veterans' Initiative we are looking at improvements to resettlement arrangements for the vulnerable groups from which rough sleepers are most likely to come.

Armoured Vehicles

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what types of armoured vehicles are in service; and what are the (a) mid-life extension programmes dates and (b) anticipated withdrawal from service dates, where applicable.

Adam Ingram: The following types of armoured vehicle are currently in service with the UK armed forces (the dates of any planned life extension programmes and withdrawal from services dates, based on current plans, are also given):
	
		
			 Type Fleet size Life extension dates, where applicable Planned withdrawal/phase out from service dates 
		
		
			 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank 386 n/a 2028 
			 Challenger Recovery Vehicle 81 n/a 2028 
			 Chieftain Recovery Vehicle 49 n/a 2003–05 
			 Chieftain Bridge Layer Vehicle 51 n/a 2005–07 
			 Chieftain Royal Engineer Vehicle 51 n/a 2005–07 
			 Beach Recovery Vehicle 5 n/a 2002–03 
			 FV 430 series 1,730 n/a 2007–20 
			 Saxon—(including Saxon Patrol) 649 n/a 2007–20 
			 CVR (T) Reconnaissance Vehicle—including all variants 1,600 (5)2002 (6)2005 
			(7)2015 
			 Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle—all variants 794 n/a 2025 
			 Stormer—all variants 148 n/a 2020 
			 Shielder 28 2010 2019 
			 Combat Engineer Tractor 135 n/a 2003 
			 Fuchs NBC Vehicle 11 2002–04 2010 
			 AS 90 179 n/a 2023 
			 Multiple Launch Rocket System 64 n/a 2025 
			 M578 8 n/a 2008 
		
	
	(5) Completed by July
	(6) Some variants
	(7) Remainder

MOD Police Vehicles

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the merits of the MoD police purchasing vehicles through a central purchasing agency.

Lewis Moonie: The Defence Procurement Agency is the central purchasing agency for the Ministry of Defence. The MOD Police is a Defence Agency and the DPA purchase all vehicles used by the Force in line with standard procurement procedures.

MOD Police Vehicles

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what policy the MOD police adopts towards supporting British manufacturing when purchasing vehicles.

Lewis Moonie: The Defence Procurement Agency purchase all vehicles for the Ministry of Defence Police on a best value for money basis.

NATO Defence Capabilities Initiative

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the NATO Defence Capabilities Initiative will report; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: NATO's Defence Capabilities Initiative was launched at the Washington Summit in April 1999 with a view to addressing shortfalls in military capabilities across the Alliance. The Initiative is overseen by the High Level Steering Group (HLSG), the Chairman of which periodically reports to NATO Defence Ministers. The next report is due to be presented at the December Ministerials, with the HLSG's final report at the Prague Summit next year.
	Since 1999 NATO nations have been working hard to implement the DCI. Progress has been made in many capability areas, including interoperability; logistics co-operation; air to air refuelling; air and sealift; and acquisition of precision-guided munitions. The UK's own performance within the Defence Capabilities Initiative compares very well with the Alliance average.

Far East Prisoners of War

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the pick-up rate broken down by condition of the medical screening programme for Far East prisoners of war; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: There is no medical screening programme for former Far East prisoners of war. The War Pensions Agency does however offer a Tropical Disease Investigation. Arrangements for this are not conditional upon a person being in receipt of a war pension. Since May 2000, Tropical Disease Investigations have been offered to 45 former Far East prisoners of war of whom 15 have accepted and 30 declined.

Military Courses

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total revenue his Department has received in each of the last 10 years as a result of providing places on UK military courses to overseas service men.

Adam Ingram: The table shows the revenue received by the Ministry of Defence for the period 1991–92 to 2000–01 in support of International Training.
	
		
			 Year £ million 
		
		
			 1991–92 63.186 
			 1992–93 36.793 
			 1993–94 39.522 
			 1994–95 34.626 
			 1995–96 45.907 
			 1996–97 39.749 
			 1997–98 19.860 
			 1998–99 22.765 
			 1999–2000 22.767 
			 2000–01 17.709

Divorce (Service Men)

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service men occupying married quarters were divorced in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Public Service Agreements

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to renegotiate the public service agreements signed with the Treasury for 2001 to 2004.

Geoff Hoon: The Ministry of Defence's Public Service Agreement (PSA) records the key defence outcomes the Government aim to achieve over the Spending Review period. The PSA agreed as part of Spending Review 2000 relates to the period 2001–02 to 2003–04. As part of Spending Review 2002, all Departments' PSAs will be reviewed and revised as necessary for the period 2003–04 to 2005–06.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Individual Learning Accounts

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when her Department first received warnings from training providers that the individual learning account scheme was open to fraud.

John Healey: holding answer 13 November 2001
	My Department actively engaged learning providers in the development of the individual learning accounts programme. For example, a number of seminars were held with learning providers in 2000, prior to the introduction of the national framework for individual learning accounts, and these continued into 2001. At these events providers expressed a wide range of opinions. In September 2000 James O'Brien, Managing Director, Pitman Training, wrote to Ministers to express concern that the programme was open to abuse but that the cap on public support for each individual's ILA account introduced to help control such abuse had been set at too low a level. We have not yet been able to trace any earlier correspondence on the specific topic of potential abuse of the ILA scheme.

Gender Stereotyping

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance has been issued to careers teachers to challenge preconceptions about girls' and boys' subjects and employments.

Ivan Lewis: Information and good practice to challenge preconceptions about career choices is contained in a number of documents made available by my Department to schools and careers advisers, including "Developing the careers education curriculum in schools", 1999, and "School improvement: how careers work can help", 2000. The issue is also covered by research published by the Equal Opportunities Commission, and in forthcoming guidance by Ofsted on evaluating careers education in schools, which will be issued to schools early in the new year.
	The Connexions service works with young people aged between 13 and 19, including those in schools, and subsumes the role of careers services in guiding young people on suitable employment and learning choices. Connexions and careers services work closely with careers teachers to provide comprehensive and impartial information, advice and guidance. They offer training to teachers and other staff so that schools can challenge stereotyping, promote equality of opportunity and engender a wide awareness of opportunities among pupils.

Specialist Schools

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many specialist schools have closed since 1997 in (a) England and (b) east Devon.

Stephen Timms: One specialist school has closed in England since 1997; this was due to local authority reorganisation. No specialist schools have closed in east Devon. 25 former specialist schools in England no longer have Specialist School status. All of these lost their status since 1997. There were none in east Devon.

Specialist Schools

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many specialist schools have closed since 1997 in Arundel and South Downs.

Stephen Timms: No specialist schools have closed in Arundel and South Downs since the inception of specialist schools. There are 25 former specialist schools in England which no longer have Specialist School status. All of these have lost their status since 1997. None of them are located in the constituency of Arundel and South Downs.

Specialist Schools

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for each specialist school and college in (a) Nottingham and (b) Nottinghamshire, what were its (i) targets associated with specialist status and (ii) success in meeting those targets in the most recent year for which information is available.

Stephen Timms: This information cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

Jean Monnet Chairs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the Jean Monnet (a) chairs and (b) chair occupants funded in the UK by European Community money.

Margaret Hodge: Jean Monnet chairs are co-financed by their universities and by the European Commission. The present occupants of the Jean Monnet chairs in United Kingdom and their universities are listed by subject area.
	
		Jean Monnet chairs in UK universities
		
			  Chair University 
		
		
			 European Law  
			 To be appointed University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd 
			 Prof. A. M. Arnull University of Birmingham 
			 Prof. Estella Baker University of Leicester 
			 M. Brian Bercusson University of Manchester 
			 Prof. Lammy Betten University of Exeter 
			 Prof. Christopher Bovis University of Central Lancashire, Preston 
			 Mr. Noreen Burrows University of Glasgow 
			 Ms Holly Culen University of Durban 
			 Mr. Peter Joseph Cullen University of Edinburgh 
			 Prof. Arthur Alan Dashwood University of Cambridge 
			 Dr. Charles Debattista University of Southampton 
			 Prof. Barry Fitzpatrick University of Ulster, Coleraine 
			 Ms Theodora Kostakopoulou University of East Anglia, Norwich 
			 Ms Catherine Kratz University of Lancaster 
			 Mr. Duncan Matthews University of Warwick, Coventry 
			 Ms Helen Meenan University of Kingston 
			 Dr. Sarah Mercer University of Northumbria at Newcastle 
			 Dr. Nanette Neuwahl University of Liverpool 
			 Mrs. Ursula O'Hare University of Newcastle 
			 Prof. Nuala O'Loan University of Ulster, Coleraine 
			 Prof. M. G. Ross University of Leicester 
			 Prof. Jo Shaw University of Leeds 
			 Prof. Peter Stone University of Essex, Colchester 
			 Prof. Anna Syngellakis University of Portsmouth 
			 Prof. Erika Szyszczak University of Nottingham 
			 Prof. A. G. Toth University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 
			 Prof. John Anthony Usher University of Edinburgh 
			 Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski University of Hull 
			 Prof. Thomas Waelde University of Dundee 
			 Prof. Adrian Wood Metropolitan University of Leeds 
			   
			 European Economics  
			 Dr. Robert William Ackrill University of Leicester 
			 Prof. Ian Gregory Barnes University of Lincolnshire and Humberside, Lincoln 
			 Dr. Marius Brulhart University of Manchester 
			 Dr. Alan Butt Philip University of Bath 
			 Dr. Lawrence Jeremy Clegg University of Leeds 
			 Dr. Felicia Fai University of Bath 
			 Dr. Vanessa Fry University of Essex, Colchester 
			 To be appointed De Montfort University, Leicester 
			 Prof. Andrews Hughes Hallett University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 
			 Dr. Theodore Hitiris University of York 
			 Dr. Peter Holmes University of Sussex, Brighton 
			 Dr. Andrew Mountford University of Southampton 
			 Dr. Cillian Ryan University of Birmingham 
			 Mr. Andrew Scott University of Edinburgh 
			 Mr. Stephen Smith University College of London 
			 Dr. Mehmet Ugur University of Greenwich, London 
			 Prof. Roger W. Vickerman University of Kent at Canterbury 
			   
			 European Political Integration  
			 Mr. D. J. Allen University of Loughborough 
			 Prof. Andrea Bosco South Bank University, London 
			 Prof. Irene Brennan University of Westminster, London 
			 Prof. Simon Bulmer University of Manchester 
			 Dr. M. Burgess University of Hull 
			 Dr. Thomas Christiansen University of Wales Aberystwyth 
			 Dr. Clive Church University of Kent at Canterbury 
			 Dr. Michelle Cini University of Bristol 
			 Prof. K. Doogan University of Bristol 
			 Dr. Geoffrey Edwards University of Cambridge 
			 Dr. D. M. Farrell University of Manchester 
			 Dr. Helen Fawcett University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 
			 Prof. Kevin Featherstone University of Bradford 
			 Prof. Stephen Alan George University of Sheffield 
			 Mrs. Jacqueline Gower Thames Valley University, London 
			 Dr. Justin Greenwood Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen 
			 Mr. Frank Gregory University of Southampton 
			 Prof. Catherine Hoskyns University of Coventry 
			 Prof. Jolyon Howorth University of Bath 
			 Ms Annabel K. Kiernan University of Paisley 
			 Prof. Emil Kirchner University of Essex, Colchester 
			 Dr. Robert Leonardi London School of Economics and Political Science, London 
			 Prof. Juliet Lodge University of Leeds 
			 Prof. C. J. Lord University of Leeds 
			 Prof. John P. Loughlin University of Wales, College of Cardiff 
			 Mr. Howard Machin London School of Economics and Political Science, London 
			 Mr. Michael Mannin John Moores University, Liverpool 
			 Mr. S. Marsh University of Wales, College of Cardiff 
			 Prof. Elizabeth Meehan Queen's University Belfast 
			 Dr. A. Menon University of Oxford 
			 Prof. Michael Newman University of North London 
			 Prof. Neill Nugent Metropolitan University of Manchester 
			 Dr. John Peterson University of Glasgow 
			 Dr. John Redmond University of Birmingham 
			 Prof. Jeremy Richardson University Essex 
			 Dr. Ella Ritchie University of Newcastle 
			 Prof. T. C. Salmon University of Aberdeen 
			 Mr. George Schopflin School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London 
			 Prof. Michael Smith University of Loughborough 
			 Dr. Stelios Stavridis University of Reading 
			 Dr. Paul Taggart University of Sussex, Brighton 
			 Prof. Helen Wallace University of Sussex, Brighton 
			 Dr. Alison Watson University of St. Andrews 
			 Dr. Mark Wise University of Plymouth 
			   
			 History of European Integration  
			 Dr. A. J. Crozier Queen Mary and Westfield College, London 
			 Dr. Anne Deighton University of Oxford 
			 Prof. Michael Smith Queen's University Belfast 
			 Dr. Stephen Ward University of Salford

Youth Services

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in relation to youth services in each local education authority how many hours of provision are made (a) directly by the LEA (b) on behalf of the LEA and (c) independently of the LEA.

Ivan Lewis: Under the Learning and Skills Act 2000 the provision of the youth service is the responsibility of local education authorities (LEAs). The Department for Education and Skills does not collect information on youth service hours of provision that are made directly by the LEA, on behalf of the LEA or independently of the LEA.

Rural Education Action Zones

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how she proposes that the work of rural education action zones be carried forward following the transfer of responsibility for EAZ schools to the Excellence in Cities programme.

Stephen Timms: Wherever possible, we aim to find ways of continuing to support ex-zone schools following the end of each zone's statutory term. My officials are starting discussions with each zone on the future of the zone, with a view to having firm proposals well before the end of its statutory term.

Specialist Schools

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the specialist schools in education authorities which retain the 11-plus, indicating which are (a) grammar and (b) secondary modern or non-selective schools.

Stephen Timms: For the 10 LEAs in which 25 per cent. or more secondary pupils attend grammar schools, the table shows the specialist schools which are (a) grammar schools and (b) secondary modern or non-selective.
	
		Specialist schools located in LEAs where 25 per cent. or more of secondary pupils attend grammar schools (as at 27 November 2001)
		
			 Lea School Specialism Admission Policy 
		
		
			 Bexley, LB of Beths Grammar School for Boys Technology Selective Grammar 
			 Buckinghamshire Aylesbury Grammar School Technology Selective Grammar 
			 Buckinghamshire Aylesbury High School Language Selective Grammar 
			 Buckinghamshire Beaconsfield High School Technology Selective Grammar 
			 Buckinghamshire Dr. Challoner's High School Sports Selective Grammar 
			 Buckinghamshire John Hampden Grammar School Technology Selective Grammar 
			 Buckinghamshire Royal Grammar School (The) Language Selective Grammar 
			 Buckinghamshire Princes Risborough School Technology Modern 
			 Buckinghamshire Sir William Ramsey School Arts Modern 
			 Buckinghamshire Wye Valley School (The) Sports Modern 
			 Kent Dartford Grammar School Language Selective Grammar 
			 Kent Weald of Kent Grammar School Language Selective Grammar 
			 Kent Dartford West High School for Girls Technology Modern 
			 Kent Hartsdown School Technology Modern 
			 Kent Hayesbrook School (The) Sports Modern 
			 Kent Hillview School for Girls Arts Modern 
			 Kent Holmesdale Community School Technology Modern 
			 Kent Hugh Christie Technology College Technology Modern 
			 Kent Sandwich Technology School Technology Modern 
			 Kent Angley School Sports Comprehensive 
			 Kent Chaucer Technology School Technology Comprehensive 
			 Kent Cornwallis School Technology Comprehensive 
			 Kent St. George's C of E School Language Comprehensive 
			 Lincolnshire Skegness Grammar School Sports Selective Grammar 
			 Lincolnshire Castle Hills Community School Arts Modern 
			 Lincolnshire Gleed Girls' School (The) Technology Modern 
			 Lincolnshire Middlefield Community School (The) Technology Modern 
			 Lincolnshire Monks' Dyke Technology College Technology Modern 
			 Lincolnshire Central School (The) Technology Comprehensive 
			 Lincolnshire George Farmer School (The) Technology Comprehensive 
			 Lincolnshire Lincoln Christ's Hospital School Language Comprehensive 
			 Lincolnshire Lincoln School of S & T Technology Comprehensive 
			 Lincolnshire North Kesteven School Arts Comprehensive 
			 Lincolnshire Robert Manning School (The) Technology Comprehensive 
			 Lincolnshire Robert Pattinson School Language Comprehensive 
			 Lincolnshire Sir William Robertson High School Language Comprehensive 
			 Lincolnshire St. George's School Technology Comprehensive 
			 Lincolnshire William Farr CoE Comprehensive School Technology Comprehensive 
			 Medway Chatham Grammar School for Boys Language Selective Grammar 
			 Medway Chatham Grammar School for Girls Technology Selective Grammar 
			 Medway Rainham School for Girls Technology Modern 
			 Medway Thomas Aveling School (The) Technology Modern 
			 Slough Herschel Grammar School Technology Selective Grammar 
			 Slough Wexham School Sports Modern 
			 Southend-on-Sea Southend High School for Boys Language Selective Grammar 
			 Southend-on-Sea Eastwood School (The) Arts Modern 
			 Southend-on-Sea Shoeburyness Community High School Technology Comprehensive 
			 Sutton, LB of St. Philomenas Catholic High School Technology Comprehensive 
			 Torbay Torquay Boys' Grammar Language Selective Grammar 
			 Trafford Ashton on Mersey School Sports Modern 
			 Trafford Jeff Joseph Sale Moor TC Technology Modern 
			 Trafford Lostock Community High School Arts Modern 
			 Trafford Stretford High School Language Modern 
			 Trafford Wellington School Technology Comprehensive

GCSE Results (Arundel and South Downs)

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on difference in performance at GCSE between state secondary schools (a) with and (b) without a sixth form in Arundel and South Downs.

Ivan Lewis: The proportion of 15-year-olds achieving five or more GCSEs at A* to C in Arundel and South Downs in 2001 was as follows (the results of the individual schools included in the averages are also given):
	
		Percentage 
		
			  Arundel and South Down Individual schools 
		
		
			 (a) Schools with sixth forms 56.7 — 
			 The Angmering School — 54 
			 Steyning Grammar School — 58 
			 The St. Philip Howard Catholic High School — 58 
			 (b) Schools without sixth forms 63.4 — 
			 Westergate Community School — 42 
			 Downlands Community School — 74

Higher Education (East Sussex)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans there are to establish a new (a) university and (b) higher education college in East Sussex.

Margaret Hodge: There are no plans at present to establish another higher education institution in East Sussex. However, as part of a five point programme to regenerate Hastings and Rother, there are discussions underway about developing higher education in East Sussex.

GCSE Results

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will provide a nationwide breakdown of GCSE results in 2001 by gender.

Ivan Lewis: The GCSE results for 15-year-old pupils in schools in England in 2001 by gender are:
	
		
			   Boys Girls Total 
		
		
			 Percentage achieving five or more grades A*-C 44.8 55.4 50.0 
			 Percentage achieving five or more grades A*-G 86.9 91.0 88.9 
			 Percentage achieving no passes 6.5 4.4 5.5 
			 Average GCSE/GNVQ point score 36.6 42.1 39.3

School Exclusions

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils were excluded (a) permanently and (b) temporarily from schools in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: The available information is shown in the table.
	
		Number of permanent exclusions by type of school: England, 1996–97 to 1999–2000
		
			  1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 
		
		
			 Primary schools(8) 1,573 1,539 1,366 1,226 
			 Secondary schools(8) 10,463 10,187 8,636 6,713 
			 Special schools(9) 632 572 436 384 
			 All schools 12,668 12,298 10,438 8,323 
		
	
	(8) Includes middle schools as deemed
	(9) Includes both maintained and non-maintained special schools
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census
	Information on pupils excluded on a temporary basis is not collected centrally.
	The latest permanent exclusions data were published in a Statistical Bulletin "Permanent Exclusions from Maintained Schools, England 1999/2000" on 16 November, copies of which are available from the Library, or alternatively can be accessed from the Department for Education and Skills statistical website www.dfes.gsi.gov.uk/statistics

School Exclusions

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in each age group were excluded (a) permanently and (b) temporarily from schools in the most recent year for which information is available.

Ivan Lewis: Information on permanent exclusions by age is shown in the table.
	
		Permanent exclusions by age—England, 1999–2000
		
			 Age(10) Number of permanent exclusions 
		
		
			 3 0 
			 4 9 
			 5 59 
			 6 86 
			 7 132 
			 8 202 
			 9 312 
			 10 460 
			 11 519 
			 12 1,180 
			 13 1,766 
			 14 2,200 
			 15 1,288 
			 16 92 
			 17 16 
			 18 2 
			 19 0 
			  
			 Total 8,323 
		
	
	(10) Age at 31 August 2000.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census
	Information on pupils excluded on a temporary basis is not collected centrally.
	The latest permanent exclusions data were published in a Statistical Bulletin 'Permanent Exclusions from Maintained Schools, England 1999/2000' on 16 November, copies of which are available from the Library, or alternatively can be accessed from the Department for Education and Skills statistical website "www.dfes.gsi.gov.uk/statistics"

Education Maintenance Allowances

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how (a) participation rates and (b) attainment levels (i) of pupils and (ii) of areas benefiting from education maintenance allowances compare with those not so benefiting;
	(2)  if she proposes to publish evidence on the educational benefits of education maintenance allowances before taking a decision about roll-out; and when that will be.

Ivan Lewis: Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) pilots are being evaluated over a three-year period, and we will be basing our decisions about any national roll-out on the evaluation evidence. From the beginning, we have made clear our commitment to publishing reports which set out the independent evaluators' main conclusions. The first reports were published in March this year and the next report is due for publication early in 2002. The quantitative analysis which is being carried out compares performance in the areas where we are piloting EMAs against "control areas" where EMA is not available.
	Early findings from the evaluation show that EMA appears to have raised participation in education. The statistical analysis estimates an average gain in participation in pilot areas compared to control areas, among EMA eligible young people, of around five percentage points.
	Although we do not yet have figures on attainment, the qualitative aspect of the evaluation has found some evidence of a positive effect on young people's performance and commitment to study.

Connexions Service

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what are her quantitive targets for the Connexions service.

Ivan Lewis: The Connexions service has published the following targets in its Planning Guidance for 2002–03:
	Cross cutting targets Connexions partnerships will contribute to the following local targets set by Government Departments and agencies:
	to increase the proportion of 16-year-olds obtaining five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C (or equivalent) by four percentage points between 2002 and 2004 (DfES & LEA target);
	92 per cent. of 16-year-olds to obtain five or more GCSEs at grades A*-G (or equivalent), including English and Maths, by 2004 (DfES & LEA target);
	the number of 19-year-olds achieving a qualification equivalent to NVQ level 2 to increase by three percentage points between 2002 and 2004 (LSC target);
	80 per cent. of 16–18-year-olds to be in structured learning by 2004 (LSC target);
	to reduce school truancies by a further 10 per cent. between 2002 and 2004 (DfES target);
	to reduce by 50 per cent. the under-18 conception rate by 2010, and to establish a firm downward trend in the conception rates for the under 16s (cross Government target).
	Partnership targets
	Connexions partnerships will lead in setting and achieving the following local targets in their area:
	A reduction in the percentage of young people leaving education and training to become NEET (not in employment, education or training);
	The percentage of those young people who were looked after at the age of 16, who are engaged in employment, education and training at the age of 19. Levels for this group should be at least 75 per cent. of those for all young people of the same age in the area by 2004;
	The percentage of 16–19-year-old teenage mothers in employment, education and training;
	The proportion of 13–18-year-olds, supervised by Youth Offending Teams who are in employment, education and training by March 2004;
	The proportion of 13–18-year-olds with a drug related problem who are identified and referred to an appropriate specialist service by Connexions;
	A local target, to improve levels of participation among a local priority group. This might be a particular minority ethnic group, travellers, or young people whose whereabouts are not currently known.
	A further target, for young people with disabilities, is being considered in conjunction with the Department of Health.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many formal notices her Department has received in the last year from the Parliamentary Ombudsman expressing an intention to carry out an investigation; and in respect of each notice how long it took to respond.

Estelle Morris: holding answer 27 November 2001
	Information on the outcome of statutory investigations which were concluded during 2000–01 are set out in the Parliamentary Ombudsman's Annual Report for 2000–01, copies of which are available in the Library of the House, or on the Parliamentary Ombudsman's website at www.ombudsman.org.uk/pca/document/par01/index.htm.
	Between 1 April 2001 and 31 October 2001 my Department received five new statutory statements of complaint from the Parliamentary Ombudsman. So far, my Department has responded to all of these cases, and the average time taken to respond overall is 21 days.

Departmental Spending Limits

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to change the departmental expenditure limit and administration cost limits for 2001–02.

Estelle Morris: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Department for Education and Skills' DEL will be decreased by £1,358,837,000 from £21,582,664,000 to £20,223,827,000 and the administration costs limits will be changed as follows.
	
		£000 
		
			   Original Change Revised 
		
		
			 DfES and ES(11) 1,074,874 -855,829 219,045 
			 Sure Start(12) 3,449 — 3,449 
			 Children and Young People's Unit(13) 1,575 1,091 2,666 
		
	
	(11) RfR1 and RfR2
	(12) RfR3
	(13) RfR4
	Within the DEL change, the impact on the resources element and the capital element are as set out in the following table:
	
		£000 
		
			  RfR 1 RfR 2 RfR 3 RfR 4 Total change 
		
		
			 Resources  
			 Change -198,384 -1,410,305 0 -384 -1,609,073 
			 New DEL 16,961,222 0 122,345 99,616 — 
			 Of which:  
			 Voted 6,551,606 0 122,345 99,616 — 
			 Non-voted 10,409,616 0 0 0 — 
			   
			 Capital  
			 Change 267,888 -17,652 0 0 250,236 
			 New DEL 2,876,419 0 1,025 0 — 
			 Of which:  
			 Voted 1,913,981 0 0 0 — 
			 Non-voted 962,438 0 0 0 — 
		
	
	The reduction in the voted resource element of the DEL for RfR1, (£242,549,000) arises from the take up of £320,860,000 of End Year Flexibility provision; the increase in receipts of £40,000,000 resulting from the winding up of the Training and Enterprise Councils; the transfer of £25,478,000 to the Cabinet Office to support Government offices, recruitment of Fast Streamers and Millennium Volunteers; the transfer of £9,414,000 from the Home Office for the education of adult and juvenile offenders, Adult Basic Skills projects and Community Champions; the transfer of £4,097,000 from the Department of Health for Health Education Partnerships and the Education Projects Implementation Programme; the transfer of £1,072,000 to the Welsh Executive for the National Training Organisation and for Hardship and Opportunity Bursaries; the transfer of £1,000,000 to the Department for Work and Pensions to support Lone Parents; an increase to the Standards Fund of £710,000; the transfer of £473,000 to the Scottish Executive for Hardship Bursaries and Fee Remission for Open University Students; the take up of £123,000 from the Evidence Based Policy Fund for research projects; the transfer of £100,000 from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for the Property Service Agency costs transferred to DfES; the transfer of £70,000 to the Department of Trade and Industry for Work Life Balance secondees; and the transfer of £496,349,000 to the Department for Work and Pensions, £8,207,000 to the Department of Trade and Industry, £4,590,000 to the Home Office and £614,000 to the Cabinet Office as part of the machinery of Government changes announced by the Prime Minister on 8 June 2001.
	The reduction in the voted resource element of the DEL for RfR2, (£1,410,305,000) arises from the transfer of the Employment Service to the Department for Work and Pensions as part of the machinery of Government changes.
	The reduction in the voted resource element of DEL for RfR4 arises from the transfer of £384,000 to the Cabinet Office to support Children's Fund partnerships work in Government offices.
	The increase in the voted capital element of the DEL for RfR1, (£270,290,000) arises from the take up of £235,000,000 of End Year Flexibility provision; the transfer of £30,000,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions being the refund of CMF provision from the Employment Service and; the take up of £6,000,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF) for the Cybrarian, Advanced and Enterprise Specialist Schools and SEN Communication Aids; and an increase of £710,000 in former grant maintained school loan repayments.
	The reduction in the voted capital element of the DEL for RfR2, (£17,652,000) arises from the transfer of the Employment Service to the Department for Work and Pensions.
	The increase in the non-voted resource element of the DEL, (£69,877,000) arises from the take up of £68,467,000 of End Year Flexibility provision; an increase of £40,000,000 to the grant in aid to the Learning and Skills Council; the transfer of £13,735,000 to the Scottish Executive for Open University Students; the transfer of £3,250,000 from the Home Office for Higher Education Active Community Fund projects; the transfer of £1,200,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions for provision the Adult Learning Inspectorate; the transfer of £1,100,000 to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to support the Maritime Training Scheme; and the transfer of £19,600,000 to the Department for Work and Pensions and £8,605,000 to the Cabinet Office as part of the machinery of Government changes.
	The decrease in the non-voted capital element of the DEL arises from the transfer of £1,402,000 to the Department for Work and Pensions as part of the machinery of Government changes.
	The non-voted DEL has also been reduced by £25,712,000 (resource) and by £1,000,000 (capital) as a result of the transfer of the European Regional Development Fund provision to the Department for Work and Pensions as part of the machinery of Government changes. Whilst this provision is in our DEL it is not in our estimate.

Lecturers

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the ability of part-time lecturers to provide quality support to their students.

Margaret Hodge: The Department is not aware of any issues regarding the ability of part-time lecturers to offer quality support to their students. NATFHE recently published a report 'in From the cold' about part-time lecturers in higher education, which did not uncover any problems in this area. Membership of the ILT helps lecturers to ensure that they are equipped with the skills necessary to be able to give a high standard of teaching to their students. The ILT encourages membership of part-time staff.

School Records

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance she has issued to (a) local education authorities and (b) schools in respect of (i) their responsibilities for the preservation of school records and (ii) their co-operation with local public records offices in order to maintain the integrity of school records for the purposes of historical research; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: We have issued no guidance to local education authorities and schools on these matters. As schools' own records are not public records, it is for them to make their own decisions, consulting local public records offices as they think fit.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Wychavon District Council

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the improvement in the performance of the planning department of Wychavon district council; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: We monitor all authorities' performance in handling planning applications on a quarterly basis. The most recent figures show that Wychavon determined 69 per cent. of applications within eight weeks in the period April to June 2001, compared with 35 per cent. in the equivalent period in 2000. The authority is subject to a Best Value performance standard that requires it to determine at least 65 per cent. of applications within eight weeks in 2001–02.

West Coast Main Line

Richard Page: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what are the (a) original and (b) latest estimates of the (i) cost and (ii) longevity of the West Coast Main Line works in Hertfordshire.

David Jamieson: It is not possible to give a breakdown of costs of the works in Hertfordshire alone. We know from our discussions with the Strategic Rail Authority, Railtrack and Virgin Trains that the project is facing problems in terms of cost increases and uncertainty about the timescale for delivery. Works in Hertfordshire will include major track, signalling and power supply replacement. There are major packages planned for the summer of 2002 and spring 2003 in the Hemel-Tring area, and major resignalling works planned for the Watford area in 2004.

Street Lighting

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if local transport plan funding in 2002–03 will include funding for street lighting.

Sally Keeble: The Government are committed in the 10-year Plan for Transport to tackling the maintenance backlog for local authority roads, bridges and street lighting. Over £30 billion is being provided for local road maintenance over the next 10 years, an extra £9 billion (27 per cent. in real terms) above the funding levels in the previous 10 years. Capital expenditure on maintenance, which is used to tackle deterioration, will increase by nearly £7 billion over the 10 years.
	Funding for the maintenance and renewal of street lighting is currently made through the Highways Maintenance Standard Spending Assessment element of Revenue Support Grant. No specific provision has been made in the 2002–03 capital maintenance settlement for renewal of street lighting. The first priority in the 10-Year Plan is to halt the deterioration in carriageways and footways and to continue the bridge strengthening programme. Additional provision for street lighting renewal may be made through the LTP system in later years. For the present, authorities have discretion over the funding provided for maintenance and smaller integrated transport schemes and may use this to fund capital works on street lighting where this is a local priority.
	DTLR is aware that street lighting columns in a number of authorities are failing structurally, but does not have sufficient information to determine the number of columns that are unsafe. Local authorities have agreed with DTLR that a national condition survey for street lighting should be introduced, and that information from this should be used to compile a national inventory. In future years the inventory could be used to target funding for tackling the street lighting backlog.

Motorway Speed Limits

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those sections of motorway that have (a) a 50 mph limit, (b) variable speed limits and (c) other speed limits less than the national limit.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 20 November 2001
	50 mph speed limit
	M1 Junction 1 (A406)—northbound link roads/small length of main northbound carriageway
	M4—Junction 4 to Elevated Section—50 mph
	M4 Heathrow Spur
	M11 Southbound approach to Junction 4 (A406)
	M606 link to the westbound carriageway of M62 at Junction 26
	M6 between Junctions 3 and 4
	M1/M62 Links at Junction 42/Junction 29 Lofthouse
	M65 approach to Junction 1A
	M621 Junction 1 to Junction 6, including all slip roads
	M61 Kearsley Spur
	Variable speed limit
	M25 Junctions 10–15
	Other speed limits less than the national limit
	M1—lengths of two northbound link roads closest to Junction 1—30 mph
	M4 Elevated section (west of Junction 2-Junction 1)—40 mph
	M1 Junction 2 (A1) slip roads—30 mph
	M1 Junction 6 Southbound part of entry and exit slip roads—30 mph
	M32 between J2 and 3—60 mph
	M621 J1–6 30 and 40 mph speed limits on entry and exit slip roads.

Planning Appeals (Buckingham)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many appeals against refused planning applications he has received in 2001 in respect of sites in the Buckingham constituency.

Sally Keeble: The provision of information on planning appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from C. J. Shepley to Mr. John Bercow, dated 28 November 2001
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of planning appeals received from within your constituency this year.
	I regret I cannot be specific as our records are based on Local Authority areas. Within the Aylesbury Vale District Council area, 68 appeals against refused planning applications have been received since 1 January 2001. Of these, 2 have a Buckingham postal address.

Railway Workers

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many railway workers have made representations to him since 5 October; and on what subjects.

David Jamieson: My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Minister for Transport have had a number of meetings with trade union representatives to discuss the concerns of railway workers. In addition, we have received letters from individual railway workers.

Rent Restructuring

Iain Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish representations he has received from (a) the local authority associations, (b) organisations representing tenants' interests and (c) registered social landlords regarding the implementation of the rent restructuring proposals in April 2002.

Sally Keeble: We are placing copies of the responses to the consultation on "HRA subsidy and rent restructuring" in my Department's library. The responses to the consultation following the April 2000 Housing Green Paper, which first outlined our proposals for rent restructuring, have already been placed in the Departmental library.

Rent Restructuring

Iain Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the estimated savings to the Treasury are in the next financial year following implementation of the Government's proposals on rent restructuring.

Sally Keeble: None. There is no intention that the technical changes designed to bring the assumptions in the Housing Revenue Account subsidy system back into line with actual costs and resources should be used either to reduce or increase the aggregate level of resources available to councils nationally.

Parking Charges (Central London)

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the estimated gross income from parking charges received by (a) Camden, (b) Kensington and Chelsea, (c) Wandsworth, (d) Westminster, (e) Islington, (f) Southwark and (g) Lambeth in 1999–2000.

Sally Keeble: The gross income from off-street and on-street parking in 1999–2000 is given in the tables:
	
		
			   £000 
		
		
			 Camden 24,535 
			 Islington 5,812 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 30,434 
			 Lambeth 10,663 
			 Southwark 6,209 
			 Wandsworth 8,731 
			 Westminster 88,020

Road Accidents (Somerset)

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many (a) fatal and (b) serious road traffic accidents have taken place in (i) Somerset and (ii) the constituency of Somerton and Frome in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Road accident statistics are compiled by local authority area and are not available centrally for parliamentary constituencies. The table shows the numbers of fatal and serious road traffic accidents in each of the local authority areas in Somerset.
	
		Fatal road accidents in Somerset by local authority district
		
			  1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Mendip 9 6 12 9 18 
			 Sedgemoor 7 12 6 7 4 
			 Taunton Deane 5 8 11 6 3 
			 West Somerset 3 3 3 0 3 
			 South Somerset 21 9 12 12 13 
			  
			 Total 45 38 44 34 41 
		
	
	
		Serious road accidents in Somerset by local authority district
		
			  1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Mendip 57 61 47 50 61 
			 Sedgemoor 61 54 45 39 34 
			 Taunton Deane 66 58 52 40 35 
			 West Somerset 14 13 10 17 11 
			 South Somerset 74 81 84 82 87 
			  
			 Total 272 267 238 228 228

Road Accidents (Bassetlaw)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many road users in the Bassetlaw constituency had accidents in the last year for which figures are available; and what is the average in constituencies in England.

David Jamieson: Road accident statistics are compiled by local authority area and are not available centrally for parliamentary constituencies. The information available relates only to accidents which result in personal injury.
	There were 742 road user casualties in accidents which took place within the Bassetlaw local authority area in 2000. An additional 420 uninjured drivers and riders were involved in these accidents. It is not known how many uninjured passengers or pedestrians were involved.

Regional Airports (Flight Surcharges)

Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will abolish flight surcharges from regional airports.

David Jamieson: It is for airlines and air travel organisers to justify their prices. If passengers feel they are not getting a fair deal they should make their views known to them, and perhaps shop around for a better deal.

Ordnance Survey

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Quinquennial Review of the Ordnance Survey.

Sally Keeble: I have received the Stage 1 Report of the Quinquennial Review of Ordnance Survey and will make an announcement shortly.

Ordnance Survey

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has concluded his consideration of the formal review of the Ordnance Survey Framework Document 1999 undertaken by the Ordnance Survey Management Board.

Sally Keeble: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that the then Under-Secretary of State my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Beverley Hughes) gave on 15 February 2001, Official Report, columns 220–21W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Ruth Kelly) announcing the Quinquennial Review to the House.
	For the current Quinquennial Review, CMG Admiral was appointed to carry out the task following a competitive tendering process. The review has provided extensive opportunities for consultation with internal and external stakeholders.
	Following the completion of Stage 1, I have since received the Report of the Quinquennial Review of Ordnance Survey and will make an announcement shortly.

Public Transport (Greater London)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to increase the allocation of funding for public transport in the Greater London area.

David Jamieson: The Government's spending plans for public transport in London and elsewhere were set out in "Transport 2010: The 10 Year Plan", issued in July 2000. The 10 Year Plan provides over £25 billion of public and private investment between 2001–02 and 2010–11. In addition, London will also benefit from some national rail schemes.
	Precise levels of funding for Transport for London will be decided following consultation with the Mayor on the determination of his transport grant for 2002–03, and in respect of the underground, once the negotiations with preferred bidders for the tube modernisation contracts have been successfully concluded.

Buses (Safety)

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers the Transport Commissioners have to investigate bus services that are deemed to be unsafe.

Sally Keeble: In order to obtain and retain a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Operator's Licence, the bus operator must satisfy the relevant Traffic Commissioner that he is of good repute, professionally competent, of appropriate financial standing, and is able to maintain his vehicles properly.
	In cases where it appears to the Commissioner that appropriate vehicle safety standards are not being maintained, he can call upon my Department's Vehicle Inspectorate to investigate. If safety standards are found to be inadequate, the Commissioner can take disciplinary action against the operator's PSV licence.
	Passenger safety on local bus services is primarily a matter for the bus operator itself.

Stagecoach

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the outcome of the investigation by the Traffic Commissioner into the operation of bus services by Stagecoach in Gloucester and Cheltenham in November.

Sally Keeble: I understand that the Traffic Commissioner for the Western Traffic Area called two Stagecoach- owned bus companies to public inquiry on 10 October 2001 following a reliability monitoring exercise by the Vehicle Inspectorate on their local bus services.
	At the Inquiry, the Traffic Commissioner fined Cheltenham District Traction Company Ltd., 10 per cent. of the Fuel Duty Rebate paid to them during the three months prior to the determination being made. The Commissioner issued a formal warning to the other operator, Cheltenham and Gloucester Omnibus Company Ltd., as to its future conduct in ensuring that the services which it provides are reliable.
	The Commissioner can take further disciplinary action against either operator if reliability does not improve.

Transport Spending

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total UK public expenditure, broken down into (a) capital and (b) revenue, including EU grants, was in each year since 1980 for which figures are available on (i) road infrastructure, (ii) local public transport, (iii) rail transport, (iv) water transport and (v) air transport.

David Jamieson: The information requested is not readily available. I have asked my officials to collate this information and will write to my hon. Friend. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Newly Qualified Drivers

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will introduce a probationary period for newly qualified drivers in the United Kingdom.

David Jamieson: The Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 and the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Northern Ireland Order 1998 introduced probationary periods for newly qualified drivers. Under these provisions, the licence of any driver who accumulates six or more penalty points in the first two years after passing their first driving test will be revoked automatically. To regain a full licence, a provisional licence must be obtained and the theory and practical tests taken and passed again. In accordance with the Government's Road Safety Strategy, we intend to consult shortly on a wide range of issues regarding newly qualified drivers.

Fishing Communities Regeneration Initiative

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list, by region, the communities that have received funds under the Fishing Communities Regeneration Initiative and the purposes for which each community used its funds.

Sally Keeble: I have written to the relevant Regional Development Agencies that operate the Fishing Communities Regeneration Initiative asking for this information. When the information has been assembled in the Department I shall write to my hon. Friend. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Braer

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if he has received the new evidence gained from re-examination of the Braer's surviving logbooks by two independent marine engineers; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will order the Marine Accidents Investigation Board to re-open the inquiry to establish the facts concerning the loss of the Braer;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the recent decision of the Marine Accidents Investigation Board not to re-open the inquiry into the loss of the Braer;
	(4)  if he will order a public inquiry to establish responsibility for the loss of the Braer.

David Jamieson: The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 2567) state that
	"The Chief Inspector (of Marine Accidents) may cause any investigation to be reopened either generally or as to any part thereof, and he shall do so
	(a) if after the completion of the investigation in his opinion new and important evidence has been discovered, or
	(b) if for any other reason there is in his opinion ground for suspecting that a miscarriage of justice has occurred."
	The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has received, and very carefully considered, the log-books and certain other information concerning the Braer. In his opinion it is not new and important evidence, nor does it make him believe a miscarriage of justice has occurred.
	The decision not to reopen the MAIB investigation into the loss of the Braer is entirely for the Chief Inspector and I am satisfied he has considered the matter fully.
	I consider there are no grounds for ordering a public inquiry.

Dangerous Items (Airport Sales)

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he has taken to ban the sale of dangerous items in airside shops at airports; and how these restrictions are monitored.

David Jamieson: DTLR issued Heightened Security Measures by legal direction on 26 September 2001. This lists articles which, as potential weapons, must not be taken into the restricted zone of an aerodrome or into the cabin of an aircraft either by passengers or as goods for retail or supply to passengers. DTLR aviation security inspectors monitor compliance.

London Underground

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what effect the credit rating of Transport for London will have on the future cost of the public-private partnership for the London Underground; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Transport for London's credit rating is one of the many factors that financiers will take into account when bidders raise private sector finance for the tube modernisation plans.

Transport (Arundel and South Downs)

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made as to the adequacy of (a) rail services and (b) bus services between Arundel and South Downs and London.

David Jamieson: No formal assessment of rail or coach services has been made.
	On rail travel, the Strategic Rail Authority is negotiating a new South Central franchise with GoVia, who have recently assumed ownership of the existing franchise. The Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan, which will be published in the near future, will set out its priorities for enhancement of the network.
	While we recognise the value of long-distance coach services, decisions on what services to provide are a matter for commercial operators responding to passenger demand.

Traffic Schemes

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the number of traffic schemes in London approved by him in each of the last three years relating to the provision of (a) road humps and (b) pinch-points; what the cost of the schemes was; and what effect these developments have had on (i) traffic flows and (ii) road safety.

David Jamieson: Over the last three years, London local authorities have been free to install traffic calming features complying with regulations, and no information is held centrally on such features. The Secretary of State's authorisation was required for "non-complying" features up to April 1999, when this requirement was replaced in London only by a requirement to notify the Secretary of State of such features. No applications for authorisation were received from London local authorities in the two years to April 1999, and no notifications have been received since.

National Air Traffic Services

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what representations he has received from the Airline Group for financial assistance to support its operation of the National Air Traffic Services;
	(2)  what recent communications have taken place between his Department's officials and representatives of the Airline Group with regard to the funding of the National Air Traffic Services;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the future viability of the public private partnership arrangements for the management of the National Air Traffic Services following the recent downturn in demand for air passenger traffic.

David Jamieson: NATS is reviewing its financial position, following the downturn in demand for air travel, and is finalising its business plan, for submission to the Government shortly. The Government have had discussions with NATS and the Airline Group about the implications of revised traffic forecasts on the company's long term viability, but have received no request for financial assistance as a result.

National Air Traffic Services

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many jobs within the National Air Traffic Control Services he expects to be shed over the next three years.

David Jamieson: Information on staffing levels within National Air Traffic Services should be sought from the Chief Executive's Office, NATS, One Kemble Street, London WC2B 4AP.

Housing (West Wiltshire)

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of changes in the supply of low-cost homes on the housing situation in West Wiltshire.

Sally Keeble: The Department requires local authorities to carry out robust assessments of local housing need in their areas and to develop housing strategies that address the identified need for affordable housing and also to make effective use of their powers under the planning system to secure an element of affordable housing within new housing developments.
	West Wiltshire district council granted planning permission for 51 units of affordable housing in the 2000–01 financial year. These homes will be available for renting through Registered Social Landlords.

Housing (West Wiltshire)

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of (a) the number of new households in West Wiltshire for each of the years from 1995 to 2001 and (b) the number of new households in these years unable to (i) rent and (ii) buy in West Wiltshire.

Sally Keeble: The estimated net increase in the number of households in West Wiltshire in the five years to 1999, the latest date for which data are available, is 1,400 giving an average increase of around 300 households per year. Mid year household estimates for England at local authority level are published annually. Data for 2000 will be published on 29 November and a copy placed in the Library of the House. Uncertainties in these estimates increase with geographical detail and mid year estimates are only published to the nearest thousand.
	No information is available on the number of new households in these years unable to buy or rent in West Wiltshire.

Empty Homes

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures he is taking to ensure that authorities in England publish empty homes strategies.

Sally Keeble: We have no plans to require local authorities to publish empty homes strategies. The guidance provided to local authorities on housing strategies makes clear that we expect them to consider the role that effective action to tackle empty homes can play in addressing housing problems in their area. All authorities are required to report their performance in doing so through the Best Value in Housing programme.

Voting (Postal Strikes)

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to change the rules on (a) postal and (b) absentee voting to take into account postal strikes.

Alan Whitehead: The Electoral Commission announced on 20 November that it was initiating a review of postal and absent voting, to report by September 2002. The Government will consider any recommendations which the Commission may make for changes in legislation.

M6

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans his Department has to improve the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester.

David Jamieson: The section of the M6 between junction 11 and 20 is currently being investigated as part of the West Midlands to North West Multi-Modal Study. The consultants are due to release the final report for the study towards the end of January 2002. It will be for the Regional Assembly in the North West and the West Midlands Local Government Association to consider the report and make their recommendations to the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The Secretary of State will decide which measures to take forward through other Government agencies. If approved any new works could start within the 10 Year Transport Plan period.

M6/M56

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects work to begin on the motorway link between junction 19 of the M6 and the M56.

David Jamieson: The M6 and A556 are currently being investigated as part of the West Midlands to North West Multi-Modal Study. The Consultants are due to release the final report for the Study towards the end of January 2002. It will be for the Regional Assembly in the North West and the West Midlands Local Government Association to consider the report and make their recommendations to the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The Secretary of State will decide which measures to take forward through other Government Agencies. If approved any new works could start within the 10 Year Transport Plan period.

Cheshire Fire Service

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many persons were employed in the Cheshire Fire Service in (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

Alan Whitehead: Based on annual returns submitted to HM Fire Services Inspectorate, the number of persons employed by Cheshire Fire Brigade as at 31 March 1997 and 31 March 2001 was as follows:
	
		
			   1997 2001 
		
		
			 Wholetime firefighters 620 612 
			 Retained firefighters 192 190 
			 Control room staff 29 24 
			 Other staff 88 103

Speed Limits (Residential Areas)

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the average cost to local authorities of introducing 20 mph zones in residential areas.

David Jamieson: The design and implementation of 20 mph zones is a matter for each local traffic authority and therefore estimates have not been prepared centrally. Costs will vary according to the size of the zone, the type and number of the speed controlling measures used and the quality of the materials. From past experience costs of typical schemes are likely to be in the order of £100,000 to £200,000.

Traffic-Calming Measures

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much local authorities have spent on traffic-calming measures from 1992 up to the last year for which figures are available.

David Jamieson: The introduction of traffic calming measures is a matter for local highway authorities. We have no details of the amounts spent by authorities since 1992.

East Devon-London Transport Links

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) rail services and (b) bus services between east Devon and London; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: No formal assessment of rail or coach services has been made.
	On rail services, we would expect South West Trains and Wessex Trains in consultation with local stakeholders to come forward with proposals to meet demands for new or improved services. The Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan, which will be published in the near future, will set out its priorities for enhancement to the network.
	While we recognise the value of long-distance coach services, decisions on the services to provide are a matter for commercial operators responding to passenger demand.

Housing PFI

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the status of the housing PFI pathfinder projects.

Sally Keeble: There are eight pathfinder authorities currently going through the procurement process for housing private finance initiative. The authorities are at varying stages in the process. Manchester, Sandwell, Islington and North East Derbyshire are evaluating bids from potential contractors. Leeds, Newham, Camden and Reading are due to issue a document inviting bids during the next three months. Contract signatures are expected during 2002.

Housing (West Midlands)

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the number of new homes constructed in the west Midlands by local authority area using Housing Corporation funding in the past five years.

Sally Keeble: The number of new homes constructed in the west Midlands by local authority area using Housing Corporation funding in the past five years is shown in the table. (The table does not include Housing Corporation funded rehabilitation of rented stock and low cost home ownership schemes).
	
		
			   Outturn Outturn to date(14) 
			 Local authority 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Birmingham 582 660 476 321 179 
			 Bridgnorth 12 29 — — — 
			 Bromsgrove 18 39 15 32 5 
			 Cannock Chase 52 8 19 64 17 
			 Coventry 83 156 126 63 2 
			 Dudley 29 67 208 — — 
			 East Staffordshire 72 39 15 — — 
			 Hereford 38 — — — — 
			 Herefordshire — 27 58 53 33 
			 Leominster 19 — — — — 
			 Lichfield 4 36 5 — 4 
			 Malvern Hills 37 28 50 25 — 
			 Newcastle-under-Lyme 51 24 60 13 10 
			 North Shropshire 12 43 4 12 15 
			 North Warwickshire 77 — — — — 
			 Nuneaton and Bedworth 27 45 90 6 40 
			 Oswestry 3 4 19 5 — 
			 Redditch 10 27 23 21 28 
			 Rugby 44 5 64 — — 
			 Sandwell 102 106 148 122 15 
			 Shrewsbury and Atcham 12 8 35 12 — 
			 Solihull 42 79 — 137 — 
			 South Herefordshire 10 — — — — 
			 South Shropshire 34 9 11 4 10 
			 South Staffordshire 29 15 25 16 1 
			 Stafford - 6 11 64 — 
			 Staffordshire Moorlands 20 6 42 — — 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 89 182 112 183 6 
			 Stratford-on-Avon 27 14 39 22 — 
			 Tamworth 11 26 3 37 — 
			 The Wrekin 37 19 77 84 12 
			 Walsall 128 145 112 84 46 
			 Warwick 15 56 15 60 45 
			 Wolverhampton 146 104 109 82 40 
			 Worcester 4 5 — 12 4 
			 Wychavon 29 16 5 42 — 
			 Wyre Forest 3 14 25 45 6 
			  
			 Total 1,908 2,047 2,001 1,621 518 
		
	
	(14) 2001–02 completions to date

Housing Transfers

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  which local authorities have transferred their housing stock to new registered social landlords and if he will give the number of homes involved in each case;
	(2)  if he will list the local authorities which have indicated that they would like to proceed to transfer their housing stock.

Sally Keeble: A table indicating the local authorities that have transferred some or all of their stock to registered social landlords has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	Applications for a place on next year's Large Scale Voluntary Transfer Programme are due to be received by 11 January 2002. Once these applications have been assessed my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will announce the local authorities that have been granted a place on the programme.

Planning Inquiries

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many public inquiries into planning applications have lasted more than (a) one month and (b) three months in each of the last five years.

Sally Keeble: holding answer 27 November 2001
	Public inquiries are presided over by Inspectors provided by the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to my hon. Friend.
	Letter from C. J. Shepley to Paddy Tipping dated 28 November 2001
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of long planning inquiries over the last five years.
	Whilst the Inspectorate provides Inspectors for Public Inquiries into called-in planning applications as well as for planning appeals, until recently we have been reliant on information supplied by others with regard to Secretary of State decisions issued and inquiry duration. Unfortunately this information has not always been forthcoming. For example, of 73 such decisions that we know of in only 10 cases do we know the number of sitting days of the inquiry.
	From the information that we do have, the number of called-in applications or planning appeals decided following an inquiry of 1 month or more were
	
		
			 Year decision issued Cases where inquiry sat for between 20 days (1 month) and 59 days Cases where inquiry sat for 60 days (3 months) or more 
		
		
			 1996 8 6 
			 1997 13 6 
			 1998 4 0 
			 1999 13 0 
			 2000 0 0 
			 2001 (to date) 8 2

Quarry Industry

Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the environmental performance of the UK quarry industry in comparison with (a) other EU and (b) non-EU countries.

Sally Keeble: holding answer 27 November 2001
	My Department has made no recent assessment of the environmental performance of the UK quarry industry in comparison with other EU or non-EU countries.

Rural Roads

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the development of a rural road hierarchy, as required by the Transport Act 2000.

David Jamieson: The concept of a hierarchy was considered as part of the Speed Review and the Government's Road Safety Strategy, both published last year.
	The Transport Act 2000 committed the Government to consider the development of a rural road hierarchy for speed management purposes. Following Royal Assent the DTLR set up a Working Group of professionals and the main interest groups. The Group has prepared a thorough report that raises some interesting points and recommendations. As required by the Act, the Secretary of State has today laid copies of this report before each of the Houses of Parliament.
	I commend the Working Group for the excellent job they have done in identifying the benefits of a hierarchy. I am also grateful for their frank assessment that currently, if it were developed as a system of different speed limits, a hierarchy would be costly both financially and in terms of environmental intrusion. Also, given the necessary infrastructure and behavioural changes required, the road safety and quality of life benefits could take too long to realise.
	I am grateful to the Group for identifying the clear links between the development of a hierarchy and several other Road Safety Strategy initiatives. Above all, I agree that the DTLR's assessment framework would be the best place to carry out the work to determine criteria for assigning roads within the hierarchy. As such, I fully accept their recommendation to incorporate the speed limit setting element of the hierarchy within the development of the assessment framework.
	They rightly identify the signing issues as a big obstacle to progressing the hierarchy as they have proposed it. The DTLR will shortly be commencing work on the Road Safety Strategy commitment to review speed limit signing regimes. I have instructed officials to consider the signing elements of the hierarchy report as part of this work.
	The Group recognised the need for traffic calming measures to support speed limits in order to achieve changes in vehicle speeds. The forthcoming DTLR project to develop practical speed management measures on rural roads will be the best vehicle for testing such traffic calming treatments.
	Of course, there are innovative measures that have already been tried by my Department, like vehicle activated signs, that will in future be more widely applied where suitable. Detailed guidance on the use of vehicle activated signs will be produced next year.
	Both the Working Group and the Speed Review identified the need for more information before we can properly assess the case for lower rural speed limits. I am therefore committing the DTLR to undertake a survey of vehicle speeds on a representative sample of rural roads to ensure that decisions are evidence based.
	With the package of measures I have outlined here, and those in the Road Safety Strategy, I am convinced that we will be able to build on this report and deliver real benefits to those who live, work and travel in rural areas.

Rural Bus Services

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 327W, on rural bus services, how much of the money outlined in the Rural White Paper for the Rural Bus Challenge and Rural Transport Partnership programme was spent in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02; and how much each initiative has received.

Sally Keeble: A total of £21 million was allocated to new Rural Bus Challenge projects in 2000–01, spending over a number of financial years. Expenditure in that year on all Challenge projects, including those begun in previous years, was £11 million. There is £20 million available for awards in this year's Rural Bus Challenge competition, decisions on which will be announced shortly. Forecast expenditure in the current year on all projects is £23 million.
	The Countryside Agency's Rural Transport Partnership Programme spent £4.8 million in 2000–01. For this financial year, formal grant offers total £7.1 million to date, of which £2.9 million has been spent.

Rural Bus Services

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 327W, on rural bus services, if he will specify (a) the size of the samples for rural areas and (b) the areas the samples were carried out in (i) 1992 to 1994, (ii) 1995 to 1997 and (iii) 1998 to 2000.

Sally Keeble: The sample size of households in rural areas within Great Britain in the National Travel Survey were
	(i) 1992/94: 1,419
	(ii) 1995/97: 1,091
	(iii) 1998/2000: 754.
	The areas used to select household samples consist of one or more postcode sectors, which cannot be specified because of confidentiality. The sampling procedure is set out in the annual National Travel Survey Technical Reports available in the Library of the House.

Council Tenants (Poole)

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 14 November 2001, Official Report, column 738W, on cash incentive scheme payments, if he will raise the maximum cash incentive grant to council tenants to buy their own homes in Poole to a level comparable, in relation to average house prices, to the level offered in London and the South-East.

Sally Keeble: We have no immediate plans to make any changes to the limits set for cash incentive scheme payments. We are, however, reviewing the control framework under which the scheme operates.

Local Strategic Partnerships

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the powers the local strategic partnerships will have to carry out their tasks.

Sally Keeble: Local strategic partnerships (LSPs) are not executive bodies. Their purpose is to co-ordinate the activities of their members in order to tackle local problems. Those members will include representatives from the public, private, voluntary and community sector. Recent legislation has extended the ability of public sector bodies such as health authorities and local authorities to work in partnership with organisations in other sectors. Executive responsibility for implementing the partnerships' strategies rests with the partner organisations.

Local Strategic Partnerships

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions by what methods the local strategic partnerships assess needs of the local people and find those who are often excluded.

Sally Keeble: Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) will involve the public, private, community and voluntary sectors to ensure that initiatives and services work together locally. LSPs will devise and implement community strategies and local neighbourhood renewal strategies, which will improve the delivery of local services generally, with a specific focus on deprived areas. These strategies should build on information from local people on what they need and want, rather than working from the top down. The statutory guidance, Preparing Community Strategies, refers to an analysis of needs which should be carried out by the various partners on the LSP. Considerable background information will already exist.
	LSPs must include local people, especially those from deprived neighbourhoods and from excluded groups, such as black and minority ethnic groups and older people. LSPs will need to provide them with training and support so they can be fully involved from the start. The Government have established the Community Empowerment Fund, which will provide £36 million over the next 3 years to create 'Community Networks' in the 88 most deprived English areas. In each area, CEF moneys will be given direct to a local voluntary organisation chosen by the regional Government Office. This 'lead organisation' will form a Community Network to ensure a high level of community representation on the LSP.

Transport (Disabled Access)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures he has taken to increase the number of buses which have disabled access ramps: and if he will make a statement on disabled access on all forms of public transport.

Sally Keeble: Accessibility regulations for new trains, buses and coaches have been introduced under Part V of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Part III of the Act requires public transport infrastructure to be accessible to disabled people. From 2004 this will include the removal of physical barriers to access.
	Since 31 December 2000, regulations have required all new single deck buses over 7.5 tonnes and double deck buses on scheduled services to be accessible, including fitting boarding devices (ramps and lifts).
	We are requiring all single deck buses over 7.5 tonnes to be fully accessible from 1 January 2016, and all double deck buses from 1 January 2017.

Neighbourhood Renewal

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidelines govern the eligibility of local authorities for neighbourhood renewal funding.

Sally Keeble: The list of authorities eligible for the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund has been determined by taking those authorities that are among the 50 most deprived on any of the six measures in the Indices of Deprivation 2000. On this basis 81 authorities would be eligible. In addition, there are transitional arrangements for those authorities that were within the 50 most deprived areas on any of the four measures under the old Index of Local Deprivation, but are not in the list of 81 authorities that qualify using the Indices of Deprivation 2000. Therefore, a further seven local authority areas are eligible for the Fund.
	The funding each authority receives is intended to be related to the severity of the deprivation within its area. The sum they receive is based on a standard amount per head of population that live in wards in the most deprived 10 per cent. on the Indices of Deprivation 2000. This is underpinned by a minimum allocation of £200,000 in 2001–02 for authorities with no wards in the most deprived 10 per cent.

Affordable Housing

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he intends to review guidance to local planning authorities on securing affordable housing through the planning system.

Sally Keeble: Our Green Paper on planning which we hope to publish shortly will be supported by a number of consultation documents. These will include our proposals on planning obligations and how we might increase the provision of affordable housing through the planning system.

New Deal for Communities

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his assessment of the performance of New Deal for Communities programmes.

Sally Keeble: There are 39 New Deal for Communities (NDC) partnerships. The performance of each partnership is currently assessed through an annual review in February each year. The 17 Round 1 Pathfinder partnerships were assessed in February 2001. The Round 2 partnerships were not assessed, as their delivery phase did not begin until April 2001.
	The NDC Programme has begun to have some positive impacts. For example, in the Sandwell NDC area in the West Midlands there has been an overall reduction in robberies of 48 per cent. since April 2001. East Manchester NDC has recorded a 30 per cent. reduction in crime following implementation of a crime reduction strategy. In the Haringey NDC area between April and August 2001 soliciting and loitering were down 57 per cent. on the same period last year.

Planning Applications (Processing Times)

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what the average turn-around time is for processing by a local authority of a correctly submitted planning application;
	(2)  how many local authorities achieved a six week turn around time from receipt of a correct planning application to a decision in the last 12 months.

Sally Keeble: The information requested is not available. However, in 2000–01, 63 per cent. of applications were decided within eight weeks and 83 per cent. of applications were decided within 13 weeks.

Rough Sleepers

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress the Social Exclusion Unit has made in reducing the number of rough sleepers.

Sally Keeble: The Social Exclusion Unit published a report on rough sleeping in July 1998 in which the Prime Minister set the tough target of reducing the number of people sleeping rough in England to as near to zero as possible and by at least two thirds by 2002.
	The Rough Sleepers Unit (RSU) was subsequently set up to deliver the Prime Minister's target and published it's strategy "Coming in from the Cold", in December 1999, which outlined a raft of new policies and services:
	helping people sleeping rough on the streets with drug, alcohol and mental health problems;
	helping former rough sleepers rebuild their lives through education, training and employment; and
	preventing a new generation of rough sleepers particularly those leaving care, the armed forces and prison.
	The RSU published it's second Progress Report in summer 2001 which shows the significant impact the 'Coming in from the Cold' strategy has made.
	In 1998, there were approximately 1,850 people rough sleeping in England. In June 2001, published figures indicated that approximately 703 people were sleeping rough, (357 in London, and 346 outside of London). This represents a 62 per cent. reduction.
	The Rough Sleepers Unit is currently carrying out research and consulting with organisations and individuals that impact on the strategy, with a view to developing a future strategy that will keep the number of rough sleepers as near to zero as possible.

Chemical Sites (Access to Information)

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to restrict public access to information on major chemical sites held on public registers on security grounds.

Stephen Byers: I have today made a direction that all safety reports provided under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 should be excluded from the public registers maintained by the Competent Authority, that is the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agencies.
	This is a sensible precautionary step taken on security grounds in the light of the current situation following the tragic events of 11 September. It is a temporary measure which will give time for sensitive information to be removed from existing safety reports, and the amended reports restored to the public register.
	Hazardous facilities, with the potential for causing major off-site accidents are registered with the HSE, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, under the COMAH Regulations. These include major chemical works, petrochemical and gas installations and high quantity users of flammable/ explosive/toxic substances (e.g. chlorine at water treatment works).
	The 430 most hazardous ("top-tier") sites have to prepare a detailed safety report describing the hazards presented and safety precautions taken. The regulations require safety reports for top-tier sites to be placed on public registers. The registers are maintained by Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency
	At present only a small number of the safety cases are on the public register. The remainder would have been put on over the next few months. The Direction will enable security sensitive information to be identified and a second, more targeted Direction to be considered. This would allow the amended reports to be placed in the public arena.
	It is important to note that the action on removing safety reports would not affect the arrangements in place to give the public vital safety instructions on such sites. People who are liable to be affected by an accident at a COMAH site are given specified information about the establishment, the major accident hazards and the safety measures that are in place. It is the site operator who has to provide this information independent of the safety report. This will ensure that the emergency services and the public know how to react in the event of an accident.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether there are plans to change the departmental expenditure limit and administration costs limits for 2001–02.

Stephen Byers: Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Departmental Expenditure Limits for 2001–02 will change as follows.
	(a) The DTLR Main Programmes DEL will be decreased by £263,092,000 from £12,384,874,000 to £12,121,782,000 and the DTLR administration costs limit will be decreased by £61,190,000 from £776,525,000 to £715,335,000 and the DTLR HSE administration costs limit has increased by £2,500,000 from £193,732,000 to £196,232,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the table:
	
		£000 
		
			  Resources Capital 
		
		
			 Change -380,102 117,010 
			 New DEL 4,744,850 7,376,932 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:
	(i) The changes for Request for Resources 1 are as follows:
	Take up of End Year Flexibility of £39,609,000 comprising £3,000,000 for Pneumoconiosis grants, £2,359,000 for Housing Action Trusts, £2,842,000 for building regulations, £4,582,000 for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, £6,782,000 for the Coalfield Enterprise Fund, £2,300,000 for the Ordnance Survey, £5,500,000 for planning, £1,583,000 for the Single Regeneration Budget, £300,000 for Fire Services, £5,000,000 for social exclusion, £707,000 for Rent Assessment Panels administration costs, £1,786,000 for The Rent Service administration costs and £2,868,000 for the Planning Inspectorate Executive Agency administration costs. An increase of £344,000 from Request for Resources 4 in respect of civil service reform funding for The Rent Service Executive Agency (£97,000) and The Planning Inspectorate Executive Agency (£247,000). An increase of £438,917,000 from non-voted provision for Regional Chambers (£5,000,000), the Regional Development Agencies (£336,124,000), the London Development Agency (£23,337,000) and a technical adjustment (£74,456,000) to remove contributions from other departments to Regional Development Agencies. A net decrease of £253,606,000 arising from the following inter-departmental transfers: Machinery of Government changes of £245,646,000 (£231,556,000 to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (to whom end year flexibility entitlement of £21,365,000 is also being transferred), £22,158,000 to Department of Trade and Industry; £174,000 to British Trade International; and £8,242,000 from the Home Office); £250,000 from the Home Office for Rough Sleepers, £190,000 from Department for Work and Pensions for Rough Sleepers, £3,800,000 to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to contribute to costs associated with foot and mouth disease, £3,000,000 from the Home Office for neighbourhood wardens, £5,000,000 to the Department of Health for social exclusion, £5,000,000 to the Home Office for community facilities, £100,000 to Lord Chancellor's Department for Local Authority efficiency and £2,500,000 from the Policy Innovation Fund for (New Ventures) street wardens. There is also a reduction of £450,000 to reflect additional receipts for the Planning Inspectorate Executive Agency.
	(ii) The changes for Request for Resources 2 are as follows:
	Take up of End Year Flexibility of £76,268,000 comprising £1,293,000 to meet the costs of shipping inquiries and shipping programmes; £2,959,000 for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for administration costs (£1,761,000) and project slippage (£1,198,000); £6,088,000 for Civil Aviation programmes and the Air Transport White paper; £197,000 for international subscriptions; £6,767,000 for the Highways Agency to repay a loan to Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (£6,630,000) and administration costs (£137,000); £10,584,000 for multi-modal studies, consultancy projects, advertising, minicab licensing, transport research, Traveline, the Ultra project, road haulage modernisation projects and to settle the Park Lane UK Single Vehicle Approval claim; £11,000,000 for London Underground PPP advisers and rail consultants; £800,000 for the Commission for Integrated Transport; £1,993,000 for Channel Tunnel Rail Link costs; £5,000,000 for the extension of bus fuel duty rebates to coaches; £7,469,000 for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency including £6,140,000 for administration costs; £2,900,000 for vehicle and traffic enforcement; £11,170,000 for the Powershift and cleaner vehicles programme; and £8,048,000 for the Strategic Rail Authority to reflect the Rail Regulator's Review of Access Charges. A net decrease of £1,556,000 arising from the following inter-departmental transfers: £1,100,000 from Department for Education and Skills for maritime training; £150,000 from Department of Health for Mobility Centres; £452,000 from Home Office to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency; £3,200,000 to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs towards foot and mouth costs and the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme; and £58,000 to Department of Trade and Industry for Framework 5 Helpline. A net transfer of £416,000 from Request for Resources 4 for Civil Service Reform (£1,305,000) and net internal adjustments (£889,000). A transfer of £7,150,000 to the capital element of the DTLR DEL.
	(iii) The changes for Request for Resources 4 are as follows:
	Take up of End Year Flexibility of £20,323,000 for Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions administration costs (£19,936,000) and other expenditure (£387,000). A net decrease of £106,908,000 arising from the following inter-departmental transfers: machinery of government changes of £111,004,000 (£11,064,000 from Home Office, £72,690,000 to Cabinet Office, £6,684,000 to Department of Trade and Industry and £42,694,000 to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs); £290,000 for Local Government PSA costs to Department for Education and Skills (£100,000), Department of Health (£100,000), Home Office (£25,000), Department for Work and Pensions (£25,000), Department for Culture, Media and Sport (£20,000) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (£20,000); and £4,389,000 from the Cabinet Office Civil Service Modernisation Fund. An increase of £8,500,000 to meet administration costs from non-voted provision. A transfer of £1,436,000 to Requests for Resource 1 and 2 for Civil Service Reform funding, and a net transfer of £889,000 from Request for Resources 2 for a technical adjustment. A reclassification of £2,500,000 from the capital element of the DEL for the provision of IT services to the Health and Safety Commission.
	(iv) Provision within the non-Voted resource element of the DTLR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit will be decreased by £596,765,000. This reflects take up of End Year Flexibility of £86,957,000 comprising £82,429,000 for Large Scale Voluntary Transfers, £4,246,000 for the Housing Corporation and £282,000 for the Commission for New Towns. A decrease of £236,305,000 arising from machinery of government transfer to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. £438,917,000 will be transferred to voted provision on Request for Resources 1 and £8,500,000 will be transferred to voted provision on Request for Resources 4.
	(v) As a result of the changes to Requests for Resources 1, 2 and 4 the DTLR administration provision has been decreased by £58,690,000 from £1,015,839,000 to £957,147,000.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from:
	(vi) The changes for Request for Resources 1 are as follows:
	Take up of End Year Flexibility of £5,115,000 comprising £2,477,000 for The Rent Service Executive Agency, £2,306,000 for coalfields, and £332,000 for the Single Regeneration Budget. A net decrease of £183,000 arising from the following Machinery Of Government changes: £363,000 to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (to whom end year flexibility entitlement of £71,719,000 will also be transferred) and £180,000 from the Home Office. A transfer of £602,764,000 from non-voted resources as a technical adjustment to remove contributions from other departments to Regional Development Agencies.
	(vii) The changes for Request for Resources 2 are as follows:
	Take up of End Year Flexibility of £237,066,000 comprising £1,758,000 for the International Maritime Organisation building; £1,816,000 for Maritime and Coastguard Agency project slippage; £12,864,000 for the Highways Agency to repay a loan to Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (£5,370,000) and to meet the additional costs of the Strategy for Financial Management project (£7,494,000); £1,336,000 for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency; £5,600,000 for Transport for London; £8,000,000 for the Rural Bus Capital Challenge scheme; £1,940,000 for the Midland Metro scheme; £8,800,000 for water freight grants; £194,952,000 for the Strategic Rail Authority for Railtrack Feasibility Studies (£28,000,000) and to reflect the Rail Regulator's Review of Access Charges (£166,952,000). A net increase of £662,000 arising from transfer from the Home Office to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to support vehicle crime reduction initiatives and implement an electronic interface with magistrates courts. Take up from the Capital Modernisation Fund of £2,700,000 for the Active Traffic Management project (£2,000,000); and the Strategic Rail Authority (£700,000). A transfer of £4,231,000 to non-voted credit approvals for de-trunking roads. A transfer of £7,150,000 from the resource element of the DTLR DEL for Cross Rail.
	(viii) The changes for Request for Resources four are as follows:
	A decrease of £2,485,000 arising from machinery of government changes (£1,461,000 to the Cabinet Office, £19,000 to Department of Trade and Industry, and £1,005,000 to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. A reclassification of £2,500,000 to the resource element of the DEL for the Health and Safety Commission.
	(ix) Provision within the non-Voted capital element of the DTLR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit will be decreased by £726,410,000. This reflects take up of End Year Flexibility of £51,054,000 for the Urban Regeneration Agency (£30,157,000) and £20,897,000 to be transferred to the non-voted capital element of the DTLR Local Government DEL. A net decrease of £160,672,000 arising from the following Machinery of Government changes: £59,682,000 from the Home Office and £220,354,000 to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Transfers of £602,764,000 to Request for Resources 1 and £4,231,000 to non-voted credit approvals for de-trunking roads from Request for Resource 2.
	(b) the DTLR Local Government DEL will be increased by £65,021,000 from £36,975,168,000 to £37,040,189,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Resources Capital 
		
		
			 Change +32,321,000 +32,700,000 
			 New DEL 36,950,270,000 89,919,000 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:
	(i) The changes for Request for Resources 3 are as follows:
	Take up of End Year Flexibility of £29,210,000 for: the Valuation Office Agency's modernisation programme (£100,000), research (£910,000), PFI Special grant (£3,500,000), and support for local authorities (Bellwin) (£20,200,000), Best Value Intervention (£4,500,000). An increase of £811,000 arising from machinery of government changes transfer from the Home Office. A reclassification of £2,300,000 from the capital element of the DEL for research. A transfer of £1,000,000 from non-voted provision.
	(ii) Provision within the resources non-voted element of the DTLR Local Government DEL will be reduced by £1,000,000 to reflect a transfer of resources to Request for Resources 3 for the Valuation Office Agency.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from:
	(iii) The changes for Request for Resources 3 are as follows: A reclassification of £2,300,000 to the resource element of the DEL.
	(iv) Provision within the capital non-voted element of the DTLR Local Government DEL will be increased by £35,000,000 to reflect the take up of End Year Flexibility (£14,103,00) and a switch from DTLR Main DEL (£20,897,000) to provide support for local authorities in exercise of the Secretary of State's powers under the Local Government Act 1999.
	The increases will be offset by inter-departmental transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Railtrack

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on how many days following privatisation Railtrack shares were worth (a) more and (b) less than their opening price; and what the highest and lowest values were of a single Railtrack share between privatisation and 1 October.

David Jamieson: pursuant to his reply, 26 November 2001, c. 606W
	The closing share price for Railtrack Group plc was above the flotation price of 380p on every day between its flotation on 20 May 1996 and 4 June 2001 and also on 8 June 2001. The share price reached a peak of 1768p on 23 November 1998.
	The closing share price for Railtrack Group plc was below the flotation price of 380p on 5, 6, 7 June 2001 and on every day between 9 June 2001 and 1 October 2001. The lowest closing share price was 252p on 20 September 2001.

Railtrack

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he prepared the emergency legislation to prevent an application for interim review from Railtrack.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 27 November 2001, Official Report, column 746W.

Railtrack

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the specialist areas in which his Department has sought external advice in handling Railtrack over the last year.

John Spellar: We have sought accounting, legal, financial and other technical advice in relation to Railtrack and its links with the wider rail industry.

Railtrack

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many new stations were opened by Railtrack.

David Jamieson: I understand that between 1 March 1997 and 31 October this year, 24 new stations were opened. Railtrack advise that data relating to the period from the company's establishment on 1 April 1994 to the end of February 1997 are not available.

Railtrack

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many railway infrastructure projects stand (a) cancelled and (b) postponed, following Railtrack being placed in administration.

David Jamieson: I am not aware that any projects have been cancelled or postponed as a consequence of Railtrack plc going into administration.

Corsham Station

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what impact Railtrack's entry to receivership will have on the opening of the new station at Corsham.

David Jamieson: None. I understand that planning for the new station is continuing.

Rail Services (Buckingham)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent assessment he has made as to the adequacy of rail services between stations in the Buckingham constituency and London.

David Jamieson: No formal assessment has been made. We would expect Chiltern Railways in consultation with local stakeholders to come forward with proposals to meet demands for new or improved services. The Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan, which will be published in the near future, will set out their priorities for enhancement to the network.

Rail Maintenance

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research the Government are funding into rail track laying and maintenance technologies.

David Jamieson: My Department is currently funding a research project studying the feasibility of an on-board in-service track monitoring and fault prediction system. The Department's commitment is £375,000 over two years.

Heathrow Airport

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which planning authority will be charged with (a) monitoring and (b) enforcing compliance with the flights ceiling imposed as a condition for Heathrow Terminal 5.

Sally Keeble: Both matters will be the responsibility of the London borough of Hillingdon.

Heathrow Airport

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on levels of aircraft movements at regional airports of the completion of Terminal 5 at Heathrow.

David Jamieson: The possible impact of Terminal 5 on regional airports was considered at the Terminal 5 planning inquiry and in the inspector's report. The Secretary of State's reasons for his decision on T5 are set out in his decision letter of 20 November.
	Our regional air services studies into demand and capacity at regional airports will take into account the Heathrow Terminal 5 decision. We will be consulting on options early in the new year, and the outcome will inform the air transport White Paper to be published next autumn.

Heathrow Airport

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on levels of aircraft (a) movements and (b) noise in Beckenham of the completion of Terminal 5 at Heathrow.

Sally Keeble: The Secretary of State's planning decision on Terminal 5 followed consideration of the report by the Inspector who conducted the public inquiry into the matter. The Inspector's report does not expressly refer to the effect of Terminal 5 on Beckenham, but the conditions attached to the Secretary of State's decision which restrict the number of air transport movements at Heathrow to 480,000 per annum and which restrict the size of the 57 decibel noise contour will limit the noise effects of the new terminal beyond the immediate vicinity of Heathrow.

Heathrow Airport

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will (a) start and (b) conclude the review of westerly preference for incoming aircraft at Heathrow in daylight hours.

David Jamieson: It will be necessary to carry out a preliminary technical review of operational procedures and meteorological trends at the airport before assessing the environmental and safety implications of different preference options. These options will only become clear during the technical review stage. When the preparatory work is complete we will consult widely before reaching any final decisions. I hope to issue a consultation paper in the second half of next year, but it is not possible at this early stage to give a firm timetable for completing the review and consultation.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for correspondence responded to within agreed targets.

David Blunkett: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Perth (Annabelle Ewing) on 31 October 2001, Official Report, columns 721–22W.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for a reduction in the level of re-offending by drug misusing offenders.

Bob Ainsworth: We are in the process of reviewing progress against all the drugs strategy targets. Progress on the public service agreement target to reduce levels of repeat offending among drug misusing offenders by 25 per cent. by 2005 and by 50 per cent. by 2008 is currently measured by the New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) research programme which provides estimates of repeat offending drug misusing offenders (defined as the proportion of arrestees using heroin and/or cocaine/ crack at least once a week and who have offended at least twice a month in the last twelve months). The proportion of arrestees falling within this category for the financial year 1999–2000 was 15 per cent. This will provide an interim baseline against which progress can be tracked. A summary of full baseline data will be available in the spring of 2002.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for increasing completions of nationality applications.

Angela Eagle: Increasing the number of nationality decisions was a public service agreement (PSA) target in the years 1999–2000 and 2000–01 but is not a PSA target in 2001–02. Outturn in 2000–01 was 94,090 against a target of 91,000.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for shortening the time taken in dealing with persistent offending.

Keith Bradley: This public service agreement target reflects the Government's youth justice pledge to halve the average time taken to deal with a persistent young offender from arrest to sentence, from 142 days in 1996 to 71 days. The target has now been met for three consecutive months; i.e. the latest figure, for August is 66 days. This has been achieved through effective partnership working in the criminal justice system.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for evaluation of probation and court referral schemes;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for the expansion of the probation and court referral scheme;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for drug treatment and testing orders.

Bob Ainsworth: The public service agreement targets for the evaluation and significant expansion of probation and court referral schemes were achieved through the evaluation of the Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTO) pilots and the roll-out of the DTTO to courts in England and Wales on 1 October 2000 respectively. 2,288 DTTOs were made in the first six months of 2001–02, against the full year target of approximately 6,000 orders. Under the comprehensive spending review settlement, the Government provided £20 million for the implementation of DTTOs in 2000–01 (the first six months after roll-out) and £40 million for 2001–02, ring-fenced for the purpose.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for efficiency of procurement in his Department.

David Blunkett: There are four key targets for procurement within the public service agreement for the Home Department:
	1. The introduction of the procurement card:
	This is now in use within the Prison Service, Forensic Science Service, United Kingdom, Passport Service and The Youth Justice Board. It has been piloted within the core Home Office and full roll out is due to commence in January 2002.
	2. The comprehensive roll out of consolidated invoicing:
	This activity has been completed.
	3. The determination of the extent of introduction of the procurement excellence model:
	This has been fully scoped and the model has been used within three separate business areas as part of an ongoing roll out programme.
	4. Central Home Office procurement staff to have access to the Government secure intranet and internet:
	This has been completed.

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters he has received in 2001 from residents of the Buckingham constituency on asylum policy.

Angela Eagle: No record is kept of the postal address of correspondents.

Data Protection

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which public sector organisations have applied to him to be allowed to demand Communications Data under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Acts; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: We have been approached by a number of public authorities including local authorities, the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Services Authority. I will be considering shortly whether to seek the approval of Parliament to add them to the current list of public authorities who can access communications data under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Data Protection

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many certificates he has signed with respect to Section 28 of the Data Protection Act 1998 since coming to office; if he has renewed certificates signed by his predecessors in office; what plans he has to review the form of the certificate; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: I have neither signed nor renewed any such certificates. I expect soon to have decided on a course of action in response to the determination of the National Security Panel of the Information Tribunal on the appeal by the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) against a Data Protection Act 1998 national security exemption certificate covering the Security Service.

Graduates (Work Permits)

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the immigration status is of persons who are graduates of UK universities and holders of non-EU passports who have been invited to take up employment in the UK within the field of their educational background.

Angela Eagle: A student graduating from a United Kingdom University who is subject to immigration control would require a prospective employer to obtain a work permit for them prior to them taking up that employment.
	Such individuals are able to remain in the United Kingdom while the work permit application is being considered. The Immigration Rules will be changed formally next year to allow graduates, student nurses and postgraduate doctors and dentists to obtain work permits without first having to leave the country. In the meantime this announced policy is being applied as a concession outside the rules.

Drugs Strategy

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was (a) the budgeted amount and (b) the actual spend for the drugs misuse allocation for England for each of the last three years.

Bob Ainsworth: The information is not available in the form requested. Government ring-fenced funding for the 10-year National Drugs Strategy is set to rise from £700 million in 2000–01 to over £1 billion for proactive work alone by 2003–04.
	Funding for 2000–01—estimates of baseline spend in Department Expenditure limits—comprises:
	£234 million for drug treatment (mainstream spending by Department of Health, local authorities and the pooled National Treatment Agency (NTA) budget);
	£63 million for protecting young people;
	£45 million for safeguarding communities;
	£353 million for reducing availability.
	In addition, funding awarded from the Budget 2001:
	£50 million for strengthening communities;
	£5 million for providing more help to find jobs;
	£5 million strengthening Drug Action Teams;
	£2 million expanding Positive Futures.
	I refer my hon. Friend to the publication "United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinators Annual Report 2000–01" which is available in the Library.

Visa Applications

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the handling of the visa application of Mrs. Grace Allen, Ref A1127781.

Angela Eagle: I understand that Mrs. Allen's appeal against the refusal of entry clearance is listed for hearing by the Immigration Appellate Authority on 17 December.

Asylum Seekers

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions are made for teaching English as a second language to asylum seekers in the UK.

Angela Eagle: Currently there is no provision to teach English to asylum seekers who are not of compulsory school age. In his statement on 29 October my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary set out his proposals for a radical reform of the asylum process, including the creation of accommodation centres. Accommodation centres will provide a range of services, including purposeful activity for adult asylum seekers, which could include English language lessons. Details of the services that will be available in accommodation centres will appear in the White Paper, which my right hon. Friend also announced on 29 October.

Immigration Detainees

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are in detention under immigration legislation.

Angela Eagle: The latest available information on the number of persons detained under Immigration Act powers relates to 30 June 2001; 1,760 persons (to the nearest five) were detained as at this date, including 245 persons detained in prison establishments under dual Immigration Act and other powers.
	The next set of statistics are currently planned for release on 30 November on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website http:// www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html, and will relate to persons detained as at 30 September.

Immigration Detainees

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been detained under the Immigration Act 1971 in each of the past five years; and in each year, how many detained persons have (a) been charged with a criminal offence, (b) been the subject of a deportation order, (c) appealed against such an order and (d) been deported to which countries.

Angela Eagle: Available information relates only to persons detained under Immigration Act powers as at 30 June 2001; 1,760 persons (to the nearest five) were detained as at this date. This includes 245 persons detained in prison establishments under dual Immigration Act and other powers who have been charged with a criminal offence.
	I regret that the information requested on detainees who have been the subject of a deportation order, appealed against such an order and been deported to which countries is not held centrally and could be obtained only by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost.

Heroin Imports (Afghanistan)

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 November 2001, Official Report, column 237W, on imports of heroin to Britain, what is his estimate of the percentage of heroin imported into Britain since July 2000 that originated in (a) Taliban-controlled and (b) Northern Alliance- controlled Afghanistan.

Bob Ainsworth: Pre-existing stockpiles of opium and morphine base in the supply chain make it probable that the vast majority of heroin which has been imported to the United Kingdom since July 2000 originated from opium produced in Taliban controlled areas of Afghanistan. The opium crop planted in late 2000 will not have been ready until May 2001.
	Estimates of production of opium in Afghanistan in recent years are as shown in the table.
	
		Tonnes 
		
			  Year Taliban Northern Alliance 
		
		
			 1998 2,592 108 
			 1999 4,510 140 
			 2000 3,139 131 
			 2001 21 164

MI5

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances MI5 may decide that major decisions it takes need not be communicated to him; and what mechanism exists to ensure such decisions are in the public interests.

John Denham: holding answer 27 November 2001
	The duties and powers of the Security Service are established by law, and the Service is under the authority of the Secretary of State. The operations of the Service are under the control of its Director-General. I am satisfied with the arrangements in place to ensure that I am properly consulted by the Service on significant issues.

Cross-channel Illegal Immigration

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next intends to meet with French authorities to discuss the operation of checks conducted at French ports to prevent illegal immigrants entering the United Kingdom.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 27 November 2001
	The Home Secretary will next be meeting Interior Minister Vaillant at the United Kingdom-France summit on 29 November to discuss a range of bilateral issues, including cross-channel illegal immigration and the effectiveness of checks conducted on persons and vehicles.

Cross-channel Illegal Immigration

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in relation to the operation of checks conducted at French ports to prevent illegal immigrants entering the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 27 November 2001
	A wide range of interested parties have been in contact with both the Home Secretary and officials on the issue of checks at French ports. These include transport operators, Members of Parliament, and the general public.
	Ministers and officials have also discussed this matter with their French counterparts in the course of regular discussions about cross-channel issues.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the length of time taken to respond to a request for an upgrade of exceptional level to remain to indefinite leave.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 27 November 2001
	The requested information is neither centrally recorded nor readily available so could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Entry Clearance (Children)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances (a) British nationals and (b) those with indefinite leave to remain would find their children under the age of 18 years refused entry clearance when they can demonstrate that they can support these children and offer adequate accommodation.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 27 November 2001
	Entry clearance is not required where, by virtue of his or her British citizenship, the child has the right of abode in the United Kingdom.
	In other cases, paragraph 297 of the Immigration Rules sets out the requirements that need to be met in order for a child under 18 years of age to be granted an entry clearance to join a parent or parents in this country. In addition to the maintenance and accommodation requirement, in general terms, it is necessary for the parents to be present and settled in the United Kingdom and for the child to be unmarried and still dependent on his parents. It is not possible to give an exhaustive list of every possible circumstance where a child might be refused an entry clearance to join a parent or parents.

Access to Official Information

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Fourth report of the Parliamentary Ombudsman, Session 2001–02 on Access to Official Information: Declarations made under the Ministerial Code of Conduct, HC 353.

David Blunkett: The Government position remains as set out in the fourth report of the parliamentary ombudsman on access to official information. The Government have nothing further to add.

Asset Recovery Strategy

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the Government's Asset Recovery Strategy.

Bob Ainsworth: I am publishing the strategy today. Copies have been placed in the Vote Office and the Library and sent to the members of the Standing Committee currently considering the Proceeds of Crime Bill.
	The Asset Recovery Strategy is the first United Kingdom-wide initiative of its kind, in which the law enforcement, prosecution and relevant Government bodies have joined together to commit themselves to making financial investigation and asset recovery a higher priority.
	The strategy's aims are:
	To make greater use of the investigation of criminal assets in the fight against crime;
	To recover money that has been made from crime or which is intended for use in crime;
	To prevent criminals and their associates from laundering the proceeds of criminal conduct, and to detect and penalise such laundering where it occurs; and
	To use the proceeds recovered for the benefit of the community.
	The strategy sets out our objectives for meeting the challenging financial investigation target of recovering £60 million in confiscation and forfeiture receipts during the 2004–05 financial year. Hitting this target would achieve the Government's commitment of doubling amounts recovered from drug traffickers and other major criminals by 2004.
	It is not acceptable that people should enjoy the proceeds of criminal activity and live a life of luxury when it is built on the misery of victims or activities which damage or exploit society.
	The strategy I am publishing today sets out how we propose to push forward recovering criminal assets with partners both inside and outside Government. Alongside the Proceeds of Crime Bill the strategy will help take the profit out of crime and dismantle and disrupt criminal enterprises.
	The strategy will be updated with further targets when the Bill is implemented and the new Assets Recovery Agency is established.

Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to issue a modified code of practice for authorised officers in relation to his proposal to widen the scope of the cash seizure powers in the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill.

David Blunkett: Clause 1 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill enables me to make whatever modifications I think are necessary or expedient to any code of practice in operation under schedule 14 to the Terrorism Act 2000. Such modifications can be made in an order under clause 123 of the Bill bringing the cash seizure provisions in schedule 1 to the Bill into force.
	I have today made available in the Library a draft code of practice for authorised officers showing where I believe modifications are required. These modifications are still subject to final consultation with the police and others.

WALES

Social Exclusion (South Wales Valleys)

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the levels and effects of social exclusion in the south Wales valleys.

Paul Murphy: The Government are committed to building a fairer and more inclusive society in which everyone can benefit from rising prosperity. We are working in partnership with the National Assembly to combat social exclusion throughout Wales.
	Notable among Assembly initiatives is the Communities First Programme which makes a significant contribution to promoting social inclusion and regeneration in deprived areas.
	In his pre-Budget report yesterday my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced several measures aimed at increasing fairness for people and their communities. These included tackling child poverty, providing security in old age, rewarding saving and creating a fair and efficient tax system.

Departmental Expenditure Limit

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to amend the Welsh departmental expenditure limit for 2001–02.

Paul Murphy: The Wales departmental expenditure limit will be increased by £44,845,000 from £8,490,071,000 to £8,534,916,000. The increase is a result of:
	(i) the take up of end-year flexibility entitlement of £30,560,000
	(ii) net transfers from other Government Departments of £7,563,000
	(iii) additional provision of:
	£5,300,000 for the transfer of the Forestry Commission in Wales to the Assembly;
	£1,058,000 for areas affected by foot and mouth;
	£450,000 for the Addington fund; and
	£474,000 for drug prevention and education
	(iv) a reduction of £560,000 in respect of a Council Tax Benefit penalty.
	The increase includes the following transfers
	(i) £609,000 to the Food Standards Agency for the Maclean report
	(ii) £5,425,000 from the Forestry Commission
	(iii) £40,000 from the Department for Education and Skills for NTO Cymru
	(iv) £1,032,000 from the Department for Education and Skills for Student Access/Hardship Bursaries
	(v) £1,225,000 from the Home Office for the Partnership Development Fund
	(vi) £450,000 from the Department for Transport, Local Authorities and the Regions for the Planning Inspectorate.
	The increase in DEL will be offset by transfers from other Departments, from the Reserve or take up of end-year flexibility and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Public Bodies

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  if she will list those public bodies to which her Department appoints members and which are not listed in "Public Bodies 2000";
	(2)  if she will list those public bodies which are the responsibility of her Department and which are not listed in "Public Bodies 2000".

Richard Caborn: "Public Bodies 2000" sets out information on non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), certain public corporations (including nationalised industries) and NHS bodies. There are four types of NDPB: executive NDPBs; advisory NDPBs; tribunal NDPBs; and boards of visitors to penal establishments. The next edition will be published around the end of the year. Information about task forces, annual reports and ad hoc advisory groups is set out in an annual report, published by the Cabinet Office. Copies of "Public Bodies 2000" are in the Library of the House and this publication may be accessed via the Cabinet Office's website http://www.official-documents.co.uk/document/caboff/ pp00/pb00.htm. Copies of the annual report on taskforces and similar bodies have also been placed in the Library of the House and the annual report is being made available on the Cabinet Office's website.
	The public bodies to which I make appointments and for which I have responsibility, but which are not listed in "Public Bodies 2000" or the annual report on taskforces and similar bodies, are:
	Alcohol, Education Research Council 1
	Gaming Board for Great Britain 1
	Horserace Betting Levy Board 1
	Horserace Betting Levy Appeals Tribunal for England and Wales 1
	Horserace Totalisator Board 1
	Film Council 2
	Quality Efficiency and Standards Team 2
	Spoliation Advisory Panel 2
	Royal Parks Advisory Committee.
	In addition, there are bodies which are independent of my Department but for which I have a role in appointing, or approving the appointment of, board members. These are:
	Architectural Heritage Fund
	Royal Opera House
	South Bank Board Ltd.
	1 Public bodies transferred from the Home Office to DCMS following the machinery of Government changes on 7 June. These bodies appeared under the Home Office section of "Public Bodies 2000" and will do so again in the 2001 edition.
	2 Public bodies which will appear for the first time in the 2001 edition of "Public Bodies"."

Tourism

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what financial support was provided by the Government for tourism in England in each month of the financial year (a) 1991–92, (b) 1992–93 and (c) 1993–94;
	(2)  what financial support has been provided by the Government for the support of tourism in England in each month (a) during the financial year 2000–01 and (b) until the latest date for which figures are available in the financial year 2001–02;
	(3)  what financial support is available for supporting the tourism industry in (a) each month of the financial year 2001–02 and (b) future years for which budgets have been set.

Richard Caborn: Direct Government funding for tourism in England is now based on a three-year funding agreement with the English Tourism Council (ETC). Grant in aid is budgeted in terms of annual allocations. These are provided to the ETC in response to monthly draw down requests which reflect its cash flow needs. In addition to this direct Government funding:
	(a) Local authorities spend over £90 million per year in England promoting and developing tourism in their areas;
	(b) the regional development agencies' business recovery fund has made £74 million available this year to target help for rural businesses, including tourism businesses, affected by the implications of foot and mouth disease; and
	(c) DCMS's £1 billion expenditure on arts, museums, galleries, sport etc also directly benefits tourism.
	The following table sets out the DCMS baseline grant in aid allocations for English tourism for the years 1991–92 to 1993–94 and 2000–01 to 2003–04. Baseline funding will rise from £10 million in 2001–02 to £12.5 million in 2003–04.
	
		
			 Year £ million 
		
		
			 1991–92 (15)15.1 
			 1992–93 (15)16.2 
			 1993–94 (15)13.9 
			   
			 2000–01 (16)11.0 
			 2001–02 (17)10.0 
			 2002–03 12.0 
			 2003–04 12.5 
		
	
	(15) These were annual grants to the English Tourism Board, the predecessor of the English Tourism Council.
	(16) This includes £1 million grant in aid for transitional costs following the launch of the ETC in 1999 (£1.8 million was also made available for this purpose in 1999–2000).
	(17) This figure comprises £9.6 million ETC baseline and £0.4 million for London granted direct to the Greater London Authority. In addition, £0.6 million was awarded to the ETC from the Capital Modernisation Fund and £3.8 million to tackle foot and mouth disease.

Tourism

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of the foot and mouth crisis on tourism in the south-west.

Kim Howells: For the English tourism industry as a whole, our best estimate to date is that the loss of revenue in 2001–02 due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak is likely to be about £3.3 billion in value added terms over the eight-month period (March to October). We have no comparable figure for the south-west at this time.
	The west country enjoyed an Indian summer, which has extended the tourist season. This is helping to alleviate the loss of business due to the foot and mouth outbreak. In particular, it appears that senior citizens who would usually be heading for holidays in North America are cancelling and instead taking holidays at home.

Tourism

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effect on tourism in east Devon of transport links with London.

Richard Caborn: The London to South Wales and the south-west multi-modal study (SWARMMS) which is currently in progress is looking at solutions to problems on the main transportation corridors in the study area. Completion is expected by April 2002. Two of the main road and rail corridors pass through east Devon. Comments have recently been sought from stakeholders and the public on a provisional strategy which addresses both existing and future problems. The next stage, which is developing individual plans in more detail, is under way for the multi-modal corridors in the study area and four study-wide theme plans.
	One of the study's theme plans addresses tourism and is considering the numbers of tourists, their movements and characteristics and identifying schemes and measures that cater for their needs in a sustainable manner. This will provide the more detailed information needed and develop the overall strategy.

Tourism

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made as to the effect on tourism in east Devon of (a) the foot and mouth disease outbreak and (b) the terrorist attacks on 11 September; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Our best estimate is that the revenue loss to the English tourism industry as a whole for March to October due to foot and mouth disease is likely to be around £3.3 billion in value added terms. We have not attempted to assess individual regions, such as the east Devon constituency, since the available data do not enable this to be done with a sufficient degree of reliability.
	Reports suggest that the main impact of the drop in overseas tourists since the terrorist attack of 11 September has been felt in London rather than in the regions and some south-west businesses have reported a good autumn, possibly the best in the last 20 years. However, it is too early to predict with any accuracy what the effects of the war against terrorism are likely to be on tourism in the south-west.

Disadvantaged People

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how her Department defines those members of society considered to be the most disadvantaged.

Richard Caborn: In line with Government policy, my Department considers those who suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime environments, bad health and family breakdown to be the most disadvantaged.

Lottery Funds

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received concerning the accountability of (a) the lottery distributing bodies and (b) their application processes to (i) applicants, (ii) the public and (iii) her Department; what assessment she has made of them; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has from time to time received representations about the accountability of the lottery distributors and their application processes. The accounting officer of a lottery distributor is accountable to both the Department's Permanent Secretary and to Parliament for the proper and prudent expenditure of funds, and distributors' activities are subject to external audit by the National Audit Office. As lottery proceeds allocated to distributors are public money, the general principles of Government Accounting must be applied in the design and implementation of systems for the distribution of that money.

Lottery Funds

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment she has made of the variation in expenditure, relative to revenue received, of the lottery income distributing bodies; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Lottery distributing bodies do not hold the same level of cash balances due to the differing nature of schemes or programmes operated. Funds are committed to a broad range of projects and money is drawn down when it is needed and not before, in compliance with Government Accounting procedures. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport continues to work closely with the lottery distributors to ensure that people see the benefits of Lottery awards as quickly as possible.

Lottery Funds

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how outdoor adventure facilities will be affected in the west midlands by the new opportunities for school and community sports lottery funds.

Richard Caborn: The new opportunities fund has informed local education authorities that it expects between 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. of allocations to be used to develop outdoor adventure facilities. On that basis, between £3,064,000 and £6,127,000 of funding will be used to modernise or build outdoor adventure facilities either in the west midlands or for use by young people from the west midlands.

Lottery Funds

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance she has offered to education authorities regarding (a) who should be consulted in the west midlands regarding the spending of funding allocations and (b) such spending, under new opportunities for schools and county sport lottery initiative.

Richard Caborn: The new opportunities fund has sent guidance materials to all local education authorities (LEAs) including advice on the range of organisations that should be consulted before applications are submitted. The fund would expect LEAs to consult, for example: other local authority departments; sports governing bodies; the NHS; primary care groups; and the voluntary sector. Where local strategic partnerships have been established, the fund expects that they will play a central role in strategic planning for grant schemes.
	Workshops have been arranged in January 2002 to help LEAs develop applications in more detail. Sport England will offer advice and support to LEAs, where they request it, on sports development issues.

Lottery Funds

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangements she has made to monitor 
	(1)  the impact of the new opportunities for school and community sport lottery moneys on social exclusion;
	(2)  the positive impact of the new opportunities for school and community sport lottery funds on providing young people with a healthy lifestyle.

Richard Caborn: The new opportunities fund is currently developing proposals for the evaluation of the new opportunities for PE and sport programme. The impact of the programme in promoting social inclusion will form part of the evaluative work.

Lottery Funds

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how she will monitor the provision of new opportunities for school and community sport in disadvantaged areas.

Richard Caborn: All applicants will be required to demonstrate how their proposed projects promote social inclusion. When local partnerships complete initial applications the fund will be able to assess how many projects are based in disadvantaged areas or meet the needs of disadvantaged children and communities.

Lottery Funds

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the provision of sports facilities for children with disabilities under the new opportunities for school and community sport lottery funds.

Richard Caborn: Facilities will be developed through the programme that encourage access by all groups in society, including young people with disabilities.
	Applications will be assessed against the key aims of the programme, including the promotion of social inclusion through access to and use of sports facilities by all groups in society and innovation and best practice in the design and management of facilities.

Lottery Funds

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how she will ensure that money from the new opportunities for school and community sport will provide more opportunities for young people from disadvantaged areas.

Richard Caborn: Provisional allocations of funding in each local area have been determined using the size of the school age population and the levels of deprivation. Fifty per cent. of the funds available in England has been allocated on the basis of levels of deprivation.

Pornographic Satellite Television

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent recommendations she has received from the ITC regarding the proscription of pornographic satellite television channels.

Richard Caborn: The commission has made no such recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State since notification of Satisfaction TV.

Pornographic Satellite Television

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will take action to proscribe the Satisfaction Channel.

Richard Caborn: Following a recommendation from the ITC regarding the Satisfaction Channel, the necessary consultations under article 2a(2) of the EC broadcasting directive have taken place and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering whether to issue a proscription order or not.

Pornographic Satellite Television

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action she plans to control pornographic satellite television channels; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Broadcasters with generally based programme remits may occasionally show adult-oriented films involving nudity and sex. Several dedicated "adult" subscription channels are licensed in the UK. Access to these is restricted through encryption, scheduling times and programme information warning viewers of the nature of their content.
	Under section 177 of the Broadcasting Act 1990, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may make an order proscribing a foreign satellite television service that repeatedly transmits programmes containing matter that offends against good taste or decency or is likely to offend public feeling, and might seriously impair the moral, mental or physical health of minors, as allowed in article 22.1 of the "Television without Frontiers Directive", 89/552/EC, amended by 97/36/EC.

Playing Fields

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) community and (b) school playing fields have been sold for development in Arundel and South Downs in each of the last five years.

Richard Caborn: Information on the number of local authority-owned playing fields available to the local community and disposed of in the last five years is not collected. Sport England does however, monitor the number of planning applications concerning playing fields in its role as statutory consultee. The Government intend to publish, with Sport England, detailed national statistics on planning applications concerning playing fields when the data are finalised, in the new year.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills has not approved any applications made by schools under section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to sell school sportspitch-sized areas or larger in the constituency of Arundel and South Downs.

Playing Fields

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) school, (b) community and (c) company playing fields have been sold for development in (i) the Loughborough constituency, (ii) Leicestershire and (iii) the east midlands in each of the last 10 years.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills has not approved any applications made by schools under section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to sell school sportspitch-sized areas or larger in the Loughborough constituency or in Leicestershire. In the east midlands Government office region, my right hon. Friend has approved two applications to sell school sportspitch-sized areas or larger in 1999; two in 2000 and one in 2001.
	Information on the number of company-owned playing fields and local authority-owned playing fields available to the local community and disposed of in the last five years is not collected. Sport England does, however, monitor the number of planning applications concerning playing fields in its role as statutory consultee. The Government intend to publish, with Sport England, detailed national statistics on planning applications concerning playing fields when the data are finalised in the new year.

Football Foundation

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding her Department will give the Football Foundation in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03.

Richard Caborn: My Department does not fund the Football Foundation direct. However, under the current partnership arrangements, the Football Foundation should receive the following public funds in the three-year period 2001–02 to 2003–04: £18 million from the Sport England lottery fund, up to £30 million from the new opportunities fund PE and school sport programme, and donations from the pools companies of several million pounds in accordance with their agreement with the Government. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his pre-Budget report that the current agreement with Littlewoods and Vernons, which was due to end in March 2002, would be renewed for a further two years until 31 March 2004. The donations from the pools companies will be equivalent in those two years to 2 per cent. of their gross profits.

Sport and Crime

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangements she has made to monitor the impact of the new opportunities for school and community sport has on the fight against crime and drugs.

Richard Caborn: The new opportunities fund is currently developing proposals for the evaluation of the new opportunities for PE and sport programme. The impact of the programme on levels of crime and drugs misuse will form part of the evaluative work.

Motorsport

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what representations she is making in advance of the FIA Motorsports World Council meeting on 13 December to secure the retention of the British Grand Prix on the 2002 Formula 1 calendar;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the value to the UK economy of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix;
	(3)  if she will make a statement on her policy towards motorsports.

Richard Caborn: Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I have made representations in advance of the FIA Motorsports World Council meeting on 13 December. That is the remit of the UK governing bodies for motorsport in the UK, primarily the Motor Sport Association. We hope that the British Grand Prix will retain its place in the global sports calendar.
	Motorsport continues to be hugely popular across the UK. The British Grand Prix is a major event on the world's sporting calendar and the last FIA study estimated that the Grand Prix contributes approximately £28 million to the UK economy.
	I am in regular contact with representatives of all aspects of motorsport.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many formal notices her Department has received in the last year from the parliamentary ombudsman expressing an intention to carry out an investigation; and in respect of each notice how long it took to respond.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 27 November 2001
	The Department for Culture, Media and Sport received one such notification during 2000–01. A response was made after 28 working days.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals she has to amend her (a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 2001–02.

Tessa Jowell: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the departmental expenditure limit (DEL) for 2001–02 will be increased by £27,785,000 from £1,142,096,000 to £1,169,881,000 and the Department's gross administration costs limit will be increased by £691,000 from £31,546,000 to £32,237,000.
	The changes are to provide additional resources under the end-year flexibility (EYF) arrangements, as set out in the public expenditure outturn White Paper, 2000–01 (Cm. 5243), of £134,000 for the Public Library Volunteer Scheme (together with a transfer of £134,000 from the Home Office); £115,000 for other libraries support measures; £246,000 for other arts support measures; £72,000 for other sport support measures; £230,000 for the Department's historic buildings programme; £1,705,000 for work on developing Culture Online; £595,000 to the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, £21,000 to the National Museum of Science and Industry, £100,000 to the Victoria and Albert Museum, £210,000 to the Royal Armouries, £7,907,000 to the British Library, £13,000 to the Public Lending Right, £14,000 to the Historic Manuscripts Commission, £95,000 for other museums support, £1,456,000 to the Designated Museums Challenge Fund; £1,663,000 to the DCMS/Wolfson Public Libraries Scheme; £250,000 to the Arts Council of England for work on Creative Partnerships; £20,000 to the Football Licensing Authority; £70,000 to Historic Royal Palaces for pensions; £61,000 to the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment; £1,000,000 to the English Tourism Council; £70,000 to the Broadcasting Standards Commission; £1,562,000 for research, surveys and other services of the Department; and to provide for additional capital expenditure under EYF arrangements of £350,000 for the Department's information technology, furniture and related expenses.
	Other changes are to provide for a transfer of resources of £1,000,000 from English Heritage toward the costs of running the Listed Places of Worship Scheme together with additional resources of £10,000,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund for grants under this scheme, the details of which were announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his 2001 Budget Statement to Parliament on 7 March 2001.
	The changes on administration costs are to provide additional resources under EYF arrangements of £817,000 for the administrative expenses of the Department; to provide for the transfer of resources to Cabinet Office of £146,000 for the costs of fast stream recruitment and of the Department's share of Government Offices' expenses; and for the transfer of resources of £20,000 from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for the running costs of local public service agreements.
	The increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Spending Limits

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans she has to change the Scotland Office (a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limit for 2001–02.

Helen Liddell: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Scotland Office Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) will be increased by £751,571,000 from £16,422,121,000 to £17,173,692,000, and the administration costs limits will be increased by £334,000 from £6,502,000 to £6,836,000.
	The DEL increases take account of the following:
	the take up of End Year Flexibility (EYF) amounting to £718,365,000;
	increases of £1,749,000 for flood relief and coastal defences;
	an increase of £10,231,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF);
	an increase of £334,000 for Electoral Registration Publicity;
	an increase of £4,500,000 for the Forestry Commission;
	an increase of £32,000 for the Employment Coalitions.
	The DEL increase also includes the following transfers to and from other Government Departments amounting to a net increase of £16,360,000. These are:
	a transfer of £14,208,000 from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES);
	net transfers of £2,729,000 from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA);
	net transfers of £902,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP);
	net transfers to Department of Health (DH) of £419,000;
	a transfer of £78,000 to Home Office (HO);
	a transfer of £199,000 to Cabinet Office (CO);
	a transfer of £783,000 to Food Standards Agency (FSA).
	All of the increases add to the resource budget and the capital budget of £100,000 is unchanged.
	The increases will be offset by interdepartmental transfers, as detailed, or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the post of Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland will be advertised internationally.

Jane Kennedy: In accordance with section 35(1) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000, the Northern Ireland Policing Board shall, subject to my approval, appoint the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. It will be a matter in the first instance for the Board to consider whether to advertise the post internationally.

Freedom of Information Act

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date his Department established a working group of officials to prepare his Department for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and on what dates this committee has met since it was set up.

John Reid: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor on 13 November.
	Work to implement the Freedom of Information Act is being overseen by the Department's senior management group, which receives regular progress reports. A task force of officials has been set up to assist with the implementation and compliance. Since June, presentations to senior staff and freedom of information seminars have been given throughout the Department and an information management training programme is planned for next year.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Rudi Vis: To ask the Solicitor-General what plans she has to change the Attorney-General's Department's (a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 2001–02.

Harriet Harman: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the Attorney-General's Department's DEL will be increased by £25,375,000 from £426,088,000 to £451,463,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by £22,476,000 from £299,627,000 to £322,103,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is set out in the table:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Resources  
			 Change 22,476,000 
			 New DEL 429,814,000 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 419,258,000 
			 Non-voted 10,556,000 
			   
			 Capital  
			 Change 2,899,000 
			 New DEL 21,649,000 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 21,649,000 
			 Non-voted — 
		
	
	The Crown Prosecution Service's DEL will be increased by £23,797,000 from £391,096,000 to £414,893,000 and the administration costs limit will be increased by £21,747,000 from £275,227,000 to £296,974,000. The increase in the resource element of the DEL arises from speeding up the reform of the CPS to allow it to contribute fully to criminal justice targets and implementation of section 37 of the Vehicles (Crime) Reduction Act 2001. The decrease results from a transfer of £83,000 for work taken over by the Insolvency Service under section 218 of the Insolvency Act 1986. The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from an increase of £1,750,000 to fund the introduction of joint CPS/police criminal justice and trial units and £300,000 to fund the provision of digital certificates for the secure transmission of case information.
	HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor's Department DEL will be increased by £1,578,000 from £14,167,000 to £15,745,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by £729,000 from £9,900,000 to £10,629,000. The increase in administration costs is to facilitate action being taken by the Treasury Solicitor's Department as part of their Modernising Government action plan. The increase in capital expenditure of £849,000 will be used to fund continued expansion of the Department's IT systems.
	The increases will be partly offset by an allocation of £22,000,000 from the Criminal Justice System reserve, an allocation of £250,000 from the Civil Service Modernisation Fund, a transfer of £105,000 from the Home Office, an allocation of £300,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund, the draw down of £1,750,000 of the Attorney-General's Department's capital Departmental Unallocated Provision and the surrender of £99,000 of the Attorney-General's Department's capital end-year flexibility of £4,406,000 as set out in Table 6 of the Public Expenditure 2000–01 Outturn White Paper Cm 5243 published July 2001.
	The remainder of the expenditure will be charged to the Reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

HEALTH

Mental Health Services

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 16 July 2001, Official Report, column 70W, what proportion of total NHS spending was used to provide mental health services in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: In 1999–2000, 12.5 per cent. of total national health service spend was used to provide mental health services.
	This figure is however not comparable with those of previous years or future years: 1999–2000 represents the first year that primary care group expenditure was included in the calculation and the formula used to apportion the expenditure was based on estimated data. In future years the data for primary care groups and trusts will be more detailed and the resultant figure for percentage spend will be more accurate.

Mental Health Services

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Norwich, North (Dr. Gibson) of 23 October 2001, Official Report, columns 144–45W, on mental health, what definition of appropriate accommodation is used in relation to his target for high secure hospitals.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 31 October 2001
	Paragraph 14.35 of the NHS Plan states that, by 2004, up to 400 patients should have moved from the high secure hospitals to more appropriate accommodation. The type of accommodation required for each patient will be determined by a careful assessment of the individual's needs and the degree of danger that they represent. The alternative placement might, depending on the outcome of the assessment, be medium secure, low secure or exceptionally discharge directly into the community.

Annual Report

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the breakdown of the cost of other services referred to on page 51 of his Department's annual report 2001.

John Hutton: The category 'central health and miscellaneous expenditure' refers to a wide range of activities funded from the Department's spending programmes whose only common feature is that they receive funding directly from the Department and not via health authorities. Some of the services are managed directly by departmental staff, others are run by non- departmental public bodies, or other separate executive organisations.
	There are approximately 45 budgets included within the category of 'other services', totalling £42 million planned expenditure for 2001–02 and referred to on page 51 of the latest departmental report. These are listed in the table.
	
		Central health and miscellaneous services—other services -- £000
		
			  2001–02 Plan 
		
		
			 Payments to World Health Organisation 14,000 
			 Communicable services 5,000 
			 Expert patient programme 4,000 
			 Health survey 3,237 
			 Port health 2,603 
			 Haemophiliacs with HIV 2,050 
			 Learning disability strategy 2,000 
			 CJD surveillance 1,600 
			 Foster care services 1,000 
			 IVS 860 
			 Prevention and treatment research 750 
			 Health services for ethnic minorities 638 
			 HGH litigation 450 
			 Protection of Children Act tribunal 410 
			 European Pharmacopoeia Commission 350 
			 Child migrants 300 
			 Prevention of HIV and Hepatitis 250 
			 Partial agreement 200 
			 Registered homes tribunal 200 
			 Surveillance for STDs 200 
			 Emergency planning 180 
			 Database on ethnic minority health 115 
			 Europe against cancer 101 
			 Blood and tissue infected with HIV 100 
			 WHO effect of chemicals on health 100 
			 Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain 92 
			 British Pharmacopoeia Commission 80 
			 British Pharmacopoeia Laboratory 80 
			 Training in child health care 75 
			 NHS radiation protection studies 72 
			 Dangerous pathogens 67 
			 Screening/nice 60 
			 WHO programme on chemical safety 50 
			 Domestic violence initiative 49 
			 Health co-operation agreements 42 
			 DH product licences 40 
			 Payments to Met. Office 34 
			 Services for addicts 25 
			 Radiation regulations 16 
			 European Centre 12 
			 International conference expenses 10 
			 Medical examination of immigrants 8 
			 Other payments 7 
			 International Hospital Federation 7 
			 Other payments to WHO 5 
			  
			 Total 41,525

Annual Report

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what items fall within the category of net capital expenditure of £1.5 million in 2001–02, referred to on page 30 of the 2001 departmental report.

John Hutton: The figure of £1.5 billion referred to on page 30 of the departmental report represents the planned level of exchequer funded capital investment in land, buildings and equipment for hospital and community health services in 2000–01.

New Opportunities Fund (Cancer Care)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) breast, (b) lung, (c) stomach and (d) prostate cancer sufferers have been helped by allocations from the new opportunities fund since 1999.

Jacqui Smith: Funding of £93 million from the new opportunities fund was announced in 1999 and has been used to purchase 57 linear accelerators, 36 MRI scanners and over 300 items of equipment for the breast screening programme. A further £23.25 million was made available in 2000 from the new opportunities fund to provide improved palliative care at home.
	The equipment and funding for palliative care will provide additional diagnostic and treatment facilities for all cancer sufferers as well as improve cancer care for those at home, but it is not possible to provide detailed figures for patients with specific cancers.

NHS Walk-in Centres

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost is of the NHS walk-in centres in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02.

Jacqui Smith: The estimated revenue costs for 2001–02 of the 42 national health service walk-in centres which will be operating before the end of this year are £36 million. The revenue costs in 2000–01 of the 40 centres then open were £33 million. In addition, development of these centres has involved capital costs of £30 million in 2000–01 and an estimated £5 million in 2001–02.

Cleft Lip and Palate Services

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the recommendations of the Clinical Implementation Group in respect of cleft lip and palate services for the North West Region.

Jacqui Smith: Cleft lip and palate services are one element in a wider discussion around tertiary children's services in the North West and we want to ensure that the very best integrated paediatric care is provided.
	The Department's North West Regional Office produced a commissioning framework for cleft lip and palate services. A cleft review panel, which comprised local clinicians, commissioners, regional office representatives and national experts in cleft care including the chief executive of the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA), met in June 2001 to review presentations from both tertiary paediatric trusts—Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital Trust and Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals Trust. Discussions are taking place between the two trusts to reach agreement on the best configuration of cleft services for the north west and it is anticipated that a proposal will go to public consultation in January 2002.

Waiting Lists

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list in (a) rank and (b) alphabetical order of health authority the (i) proportion and (ii) number of patients waiting (A) over 12 months and (B) over 18 months for in-patient treatment (1) at the last available date, (2) in March 1997 and (3) in June 1997.

John Hutton: holding answer 15 November 2001
	The information requested has been placed in the Library.
	In line with the NHS Plan, inpatient waiting times will fall on a staged basis from 18 months now through to 15,12, nine and down to six months by 2005. As a result, we expect the average time patients wait for inpatient treatment to fall from three months to seven weeks.
	As a first step towards this, the maximum waiting time for an inpatient appointment will be 15 months by the end of March 2002

Waiting Lists

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are waiting for admission for orthopaedic treatment at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust; how many were waiting in November (a) 2000, (b) 1999, (c) 1998 and (d) 1997; and how many have waited (i) six months, (ii) six to 12 months and (iii) 12 to 15 months.

John Hutton: holding answer 16 November 2001
	Figures for inpatient orthopaedic treatment are not available monthly but are collected on a quarterly basis.
	Figures for patients waiting for orthopaedic admission at Bedford Hospitals National Health Service Trust are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Total waiting Up to 6 months 6–12 months 12–15 months 
		
		
			 March 1997 754 513 232 9 
			 December 1998 1,143 565 422 115 
			 December 1999 1,187 578 480 104 
			 December 2000 1,189 505 458 139 
		
	
	Source:
	KH07

Performance Fund

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisations have received allocations from the Performance Fund; and how much in each case.

John Hutton: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

"Sold on Health" Report

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress with implementing the recommendation in the "Sold on Health" report; and what savings to public funds (a) are planned and (b) have been achieved.

Jacqui Smith: "Sold on Health" is a joint report published by the Department and Her Majesty's Treasury in May 2000. The report focused on the whole life cycle issues relating to the estate in the National Health Service, from procurement through its operational management and subsequent disposal.
	Substantial progress has been made, and details will soon be available on the Sold on Health website "www.soldonhealth.gov.uk".

Invest to Save Budget

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expected saving is to public funds from the projects of his Department in Round 2 of the Invest to Save Budget.

John Hutton: The estimated savings of Invest to Save Round 2 projects over the period of project's funding is: 2000–01 £1.2 million and 2001–02 £760,000 through a combination of cash releasing and efficiency savings. However, the key aim of the Invest to Save programme is to encourage innovation, streamlining and improvements in the delivery of public services.

Modernisation Agency

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Modernisation Agency was established; and what its cost to public funds is in 2001–02.

John Hutton: The National Health Service Modernisation Agency was set up on 1 April 2001. Its budget for the year 2001–02 stands at £54 million.

GP Appointments

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expected cost to public funds is of enabling all patients to have GP appointments within 48 hours.

John Hutton: Better access for patients is part of the vision for modernising primary care. Expenditure in primary care is around £5 billion. As well as this funding an access fund is available for primary care. Rising from £54.5 million in 2000–01, recurrent funding of £84.5 million is available this year, increasing to £114.5 million in 2002–03 and is intended to support primary care trusts in securing delivery of the 48-hour target. This can be further enhanced by PCTs unified budgets.

Transsexual People

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department issues on the provision of care for transsexual people.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has issued no specific guidance on the provision of care to transsexuals. Like all other services, decisions about whether gender reassignment surgery should be funded under the national health service, are made by individual health authorities, who must take account of the wider picture in terms of local priorities and circumstances when determining how resources are spent. Each case must be decided on its own merits.

NHS Dental Care

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to ensure that all those who want to are able to register for NHS dental care.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 19 November 2001
	We are committed to ensuring that national health service dentistry is available to all who want it through registration with an NHS dentist. In supporting this commitment the Government have invested over £100 million in the last two years. This includes a scheme that spends about £20 million per annum on rewarding dentists with a significant NHS commitment.
	Registration can play an important role in promoting oral health through strengthening the relationship between patient and dentist. However many people do not visit a dentist regularly. Systems are now in place for NHS Direct to advise patients in all parts of the country on where they can find a NHS dentist, within locally defined time and distance standards.

NHS Trusts

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the performance of NHS trusts in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 in meeting their responsibility to break even on an income and expenditure basis.

John Hutton: The annual accounts for national health service trusts in 2000–01 show no trust reporting a failure in its statutory duty to break even on an income and expenditure basis taking one year with another.
	The 2001–02 annual accounts will not be received until the autumn of 2002. However, expectation is that all NHS trusts will meet the duty.

NHS Trusts

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS trusts' planned costs for (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04.

John Hutton: The planned expenditure of national health service trusts for financial year 2001–02 is circa £30.3 billion.
	Information on the planned costs of NHS trusts in financial years 2002–03 and 2003–04 will be collected as part of the normal planning cycle for the NHS. Information such as this will normally be available in May/June of the financial year concerned.

Best Value

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the savings (a) in 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 arising from the application by his Department of Best Value.

John Hutton: The Department, with other central Government Departments, is committed to fundamental reviews of all its services in a five year programme under the better quality services initiative. A departmental review was conducted earlier this year, and the implementation of its recommendations is under way. The Department contributes to the application of Best Value in local authorities through the work of the social services inspectorate, and work on the performance management framework.

NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the funding of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the cost in 2001–02 of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency.

John Hutton: The National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency is an executive agency of the Department and is funded centrally. In 2001–2002 the Agency was allocated £19.5 million. The agency's funding for 2002–03 is still being discussed.
	The agency's aim is to modernise and improve the performance of the NHS purchasing and supply system and become the centre of expertise, knowledge and excellence on matters of purchasing and supply for the NHS for the benefit of patients and the public.
	The agency is responsible for ensuring that the NHS makes the most effective use of its resources by getting the best value for money when purchasing goods and services. In 2000–01 the agency negotiated contracts that resulted in savings of £171.1 million and from April to the end of October 2001 has achieved savings of £108.1 million.

NHS Pensions Agency

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the savings arising from the procurement of a private sector partner for contractorisation of the non-core services of the NHS Pensions Agency.

John Hutton: The contractorisation of the National Health Service Pensions Agency's non-core services will deliver overall savings of 20 per cent. of the agency's baseline running costs.

NHS Management Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS management costs in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04.

John Hutton: We are on course to achieve £1 billion savings in management costs between 1997–98 and the end of 2001–02.
	We are currently considering the future basis of management costs in the light of the shifting the balance of power initiative and our broader commitment to invest savings in frontline services and child care facilities for national health service staff.

Out-of-area Treatment System

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statistics his Department collates on the operation of the out-of-area treatment system.

John Hutton: holding answer 21 November 2001
	Regional offices annually collect information on the cost, and the home health authority of those out-of-area patients who are treated at each national health service trust within their area. The information is compiled centrally by the Department and used to calculate the annual out-of-area funding adjustment.

Mental Health Act

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has received the report on the second phase of work on guardianship under the Mental Health Act 1983; and if he will publish it.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 22 November 2001
	The Department is not intending to publish the second (and final) report of the research but I have asked officials to write to the hon. Member giving contact details for the researchers who were commissioned to undertake this work.

Pneumococcal Vaccine

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 November 2001, Official Report, column 131W, on the pneumococcal vaccine, if he will set out (a) the remit and aims of the studies, (b) which persons or organisations are undertaking the studies and (c) when the studies were commissioned and when the work is scheduled to be completed.

Jacqui Smith: Studies looking at the suitability of the pneumococcal vaccine for introduction into the United Kingdom routine childhood immunisation programme are currently being undertaken by the Public Health Laboratory Service. These studies were commissioned in 1996 by the Department as part of a three-year research programme. Because of the unavailability of the pneumococcal vaccines it was not possible to begin these studies until 2000.
	The key question being addressed in these studies is how the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine performs under the two, three, four-month UK programme, in particular assessing whether a booster dose, or all three primary immunisations, are necessary. Information on potential catch-up immunisation schedules in older age groups is also being sought. The final results for these trials are expected to be available in early 2003. The effect of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on the presence of bacteria naturally occurring in the population (carriage) will also be studied.

Residential Care

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) nursing and (b) residential care (i) homes and (ii) beds have closed in the Buckingham constituency in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. Goodman) on 19 July 2001, Official Report, columns 444–45W.
	Information for 2001 will be published in "Community Care Statistics 2001: Residential Personal Social Services for Adults, England" on 29 November.

Diabetes

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what priority he places on the treatment of diabetes;
	(2)  what plans he has to review the national treatment standards for diabetes sufferers; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: We are committed to improving the quality of care for people with diabetes. That is why we are developing a National Service Framework for Diabetes. We shall shortly be publishing, as the first stage of the Framework, a document setting out the first ever set of national standards for the treatment of diabetes.

Diabetes

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of new drugs to treat type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Medicines Control Agency has not received any licence application for any new drug to treat type 1 diabetes. Should an application be made for a new drug or for a new formulation, the agency will carefully evaluate the safety, quality and efficacy of the product prior to licensing.
	We announced on 31 July that we were referring long-acting insulin analogues to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence for appraisal. The Institute appraises the clinical and cost effectiveness of treatments and issues authoritative, evidence based guidance to the national health service, in order to ensure that people have equal access to effective treatments wherever they live.

Children at Risk

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, columns 364–65W, on children at risk, if he will set out separately the number of unborn children.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 26 November 2001
	The number of unborn children who were added to, and deleted from, child protection registers during the years ending 31 March 2000 and 2001 are given in the table.
	
		Registrations to, and de-registrations from, child protection registers, of unborn children, during the years ending 31 March 2000 and 2001, and number of unborn children on registers at 31 March of each year—England
		
			  Number of unborn children(18) 
		
		
			 On the register at 31 March  
			 2000 200 
			 2001 200 
			 Registrations  
			 2000 900 
			 2001 1,000 
			 De-registrations  
			 2000 30 
			 2001 70 
		
	
	(18) Figures are rounded to the nearest 100; figures less than 100 are rounded to the nearest 10.

Wheelchair Service

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the growth pressures on the wheelchair service; in which geographical areas these are unusually intense; and if he will make a statement on future funding.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 27 November 2001
	The information requested is not available centrally. Funding for wheelchairs is included in allocations to health authorities. Funding decisions and allocations for 2002–03 will be made in time to allow health authorities, in conjunction with primary care groups and primary care trusts, to make plans for delivering services for that financial year.

Care Home Closures

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he is offering local authorities on the impact of the closure of care homes.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 27 November 2001
	Government advice on the impact of the closure of care homes was published on 9 October in "Building Capacity and Partnership in Care". Commissioners and providers should share information about services that may no longer be needed, or may be about to be withdrawn. In all cases, the aim must be to minimise the impact on the patient or service user. Care homes closing at short notice can be particularly distressing for the residents of those homes. If services have to be withdrawn, commissioners and providers should seek to achieve this in a planned way.

Private Care Homes

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will launch an initiative to provide help and advice for private care home users through (a) a telephone hotline service and (b) local health/social services teams.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 27 November 2001
	From April 2002 the independent National Care Standards Commission will regulate, inspect and register social and health care services previously regulated by local councils and health authorities. In doing so the commission will apply comprehensive new national minimum standards for all care homes. The standards for older people's care homes were published in March and provide for homes to have a specified complaints procedure and to provide information to service users on how to refer a complaint to the commission.
	The Department is also piloting care direct in six councils in the south west. This new service is designed to provide help and advice for all older people, their relatives and carers about social care, health, housing and social security benefits. We plan to extend care direct to cover the whole of England by 2005.

Health Action Zones

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of health action zones; and when he will announce the funding for future years.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 27 November 2001
	The long-term future of health action zones (HAZs) will be determined as part of the Cabinet Office Regional Co-ordination Unit-led review of area based initiatives (ABIs) which is expected to be complete early in the New Year. The HAZ element of this review will examine the ways in which HAZs work and assess their effectiveness and co-ordination with other ABIs.
	Decisions on health authority allocations and central revenue budgets (including HAZs) will be announced shortly for 2002–03. Decisions on funding for 2003–04 and beyond will be made as part of the Department's work on the 2002 spending review.

Asylum Seekers

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 31 October 2001, Official Report, column 828W, on asylum seekers, if he will list the local authorities participating in the children in need census.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 27 November 2001
	All authorities are expected to participate in the Children in Need census.

Asylum Seekers

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 14 November 2001, Official Report, column 875W, on asylum seekers, what representations he has received to extend the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 so that local authorities have (a) duties and (b) powers to assist 18 to 21-year-old unaccompanied asylum seeking children cared for under section 17 of the Children Act 1989.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 27 November 2001
	None. The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 applies only to children who have been looked after under section 20 or section 31 of the Children Act 1989, or who have been remanded into care by a court. It applies to unaccompanied asylum seeking children who meet these criteria. Such children, who come to the attention of local authorities, should have their needs assessed in accordance with Government guidance, the "Framework for the Assessment of Children in need and Their Families", in the same way as would a local child, and their needs should be responded to on the basis of the outcome of that assessment.

Food Standards Agency

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to amend the Food Standards Agency (a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limit for 2001–02.

Hazel Blears: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) the overall resource Departmental Expenditure Limit for 2001–02 will be increased by £10,911,000 (of which £4,274,000 is administrations costs) from £111,243,000 to £122,154,000.
	The increase is the net effect of the addition of the FSA's End Year Flexibility (EYF) entitlement. Delays in appointing external Board Members meant that the overall FSA strategy, and hence certain projects, were also delayed. This amounts to £6,637,000 programme and £2,867,000 administration costs. Additionally, transfers from Scotland (£783,000) and Wales (£609,000) are needed to cover the estimated fall in Meat Hygiene Service income in these countries resulting from the revised charging methodology recommended in the Maclean report. A transfer of £15,000 administration costs from the Department of Health is needed as contribution towards the cost of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. Finally, the FSA's EYF capital entitlement needs to be incorporated. The move of the FSA to a new office in central London was later than anticipated, caused by building delays. This has resulted in the need to incorporate £433,000 EYF capital expenditure.
	As a result of these changes the gross administration cost limit for the FSA has increased by £4,274,000 from £48,908,000 to £53,182,000.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to amend his Department's (a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limit for 2001–02.

Alan Milburn: Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Department of Health Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) will be increased by £768,348,000 from £49,805,054,000 to £50,573,402,000 and the Administration Cost Limit will be increased by £9,701,000 from £312,234,000 to £321,935,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is set out in the table:
	
		£000 
		
			  Resources Capital 
		
		
			 Change 617,391 150,957 
			 New DEL 48,334,111 2,239,291 
			 Of which:   
			 Voted 48,923,590 254,195 
			 Non-voted -589,479 1,985,096 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from the take up of end year flexibility £359,377,000 (£9,000,000 administration costs) as set out in Table 6 of the Public Expenditure 2000–01 Provisional Outturn White Paper Cm 5243 published in July 2001.
	Transfers of provision from the Home Office of £21,173,000 (£400,000 administration costs) mainly for the National Treatment Agency and drug treatment services and research. A net transfer from the Scottish Executive comprising an increase of £1,188,000 (£128,000 administration costs) for contributions to the cost of Non-departmental Public Bodies, committees, the high security infectious disease unit, HIV surveillance funding and postgraduate medical education, offset by £819,000 for out of area treatment costs. A net transfer from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions of £4,950,000 (£5,100,000 of which £100,000 administration costs) mainly for the teenage pregnancy unit, offset by £150,000 for mobility centres. From the Office of Government Commerce £50,000 for Avonbridge House. From the Office of Science and Technology £45,000 (administration costs) for a contribution to the Human genetics Commission. To the Department for Education and Skills £4,097,000 for education health partnerships and educational advisers. A net transfer from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs £1,000,000 for research offset by a transfer of £100,000 for a contribution to rural stress action teams. To the Department for Work and Pensions £509,000 for the costs of Care Direct and preserved rights cases. A transfer to the Food Standards Agency £15,000 (administration costs) for the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. A change in the level of non DEL provision for NHS Trust depreciation of £240,000,000 now reclassified as part of DEL and a reallocation from resources to capital of £4,852,000 for costs associated with the National Care Standards Commission and Social Care Institute for Excellence.
	The administration cost limit has been increased by £9,701,000 from £312,234,000 to £321,935,000. In addition to the changes detailed above there is a further net increase of £43,000 comprising an increase in the Medical Device Agency's costs of £223,000 for assessment and evaluation of devices, offset by a reduction of £180,000 in respect of the NHS Appointments Commission.
	The change to the capital element of the DEL arises from the take up of end year flexibility £95,632,000 as set out in Table 6 of the Public Expenditure 2000–01 Provisional Outturn White Paper Cm 5243 published in July 2001. From the Capital Modernisation Fund £50,000,000 to support the NHS capital programme and a reallocation from resource DEL of £4,852,000 and a transfer from the Scottish Executive of £50,000 for a contribution to non-departmental public bodies.
	The take-up of non-voted supplementary credit approvals for personal social services in England has increased by £423,000 from £18,700,000 to £19,123,000 in respect of the take up of end year flexibility entitlement mentioned above.
	The increases will be offset by inter-departmental transfers and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Doctors and Nurses

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the latest figures are for the shortfall in (b) doctors and (b) nurses in the NHS.

John Hutton: The NHS Plan acknowledges that a shortage of human resources is the biggest constraint faced by the National Health Service today. Targets for increasing the number of doctors and nurses were set in the NHS Plan and rolled forward in the manifesto before the last election.
	The NHS Plan targets are for 7,500 more consultants, 2,000 more general practitioners and 20,000 more nurses by 2004. In September 2000 there were 1,100 more consultants, 126 more GPs and 6,300 more nurses than in September 1999, the NHS Plan baseline. The manifesto targets are for 10,000 more doctors and 20,000 more nurses by 2005 over the 2000 baseline.
	The September 2001 census, giving the latest position against these targets, will be available in January 2002.

Doctors and Nurses

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average annual rate of pay is for (a) nurses and (b) doctors (i) in the NHS and (ii) in the private sector.

John Hutton: We estimate that as at August 2000, medical consultants were paid, on average, £65,000 basic salary, £72,000 total earnings, by National Health Service employers. The equivalent figures for nurses were £19,100 and £22,400.
	Information is not available for staff working in the private sector.
	Note:
	Doctor's figures relate to medical consultants; nurses to qualified nurses in clinical grades D to G
	Source:
	Department of Health's August 2000 NHS staff earnings survey.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards the Public Service Agreement target of a reduction in the death rate from cancer amongst people aged under 75 years by at least 20 per cent. by 2010

Jacqui Smith: Latest available data (for the three years 1998–2000) overlap the start of Our Healthier Nation health strategy, in which the mortality target was set, in July 1999. It is therefore too early yet to assess the effects of the strategy. However, movement to date is towards the target. Data for 1998–2000 (three-year average) show a rate of 130.9 deaths per 100,000 population, a reduction of 6.3 per cent. from the baseline (1995–97).

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting the public service agreement target of a reduction in the death rate among people aged under 75 years by at least 40 per cent. by 2010.

Jacqui Smith: This target is to reduce deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke and related diseases in people under age 75. The latest available data (for the three years 1998–2000) overlap the start of the Our Healthier Nation health strategy in July 1999 and the publication of the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease in March 2000. It is too early yet to assess the effects of these strategies. However, movement to date is towards the target. Data for 1998–2000 (three-year average) show a rate of 120.5 deaths per 100,000 population—a reduction of 13.7 per cent. from the baseline (1995–97).

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on success in meeting the public service agreement target for procurement savings by NHS trusts in 2000–01.

John Hutton: All national health service trusts achieved procurement savings of 3 per cent. for the financial year 2000–01.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting the public service agreement target that everyone with suspected cancer should be able to see a specialist within two weeks of his or her GP deciding that there is a need to do so.

Jacqui Smith: Good progress has been made towards meeting the public service agreement target that everyone with suspected cancer should be able to see a specialist within two weeks of urgent referral. In the period April to June this year 92.4 per cent. of all urgent general practitioner referrals for suspected cancer were seen within two weeks. Since April 1999 more than 186,000 women with suspected breast cancer have benefited by being seen within two weeks and over the period January to June 2001 over 114,000 people urgently referred with suspected cancer were seen by a specialist within two weeks.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting the public service agreement target for the reduction of levels of staff absence due to sickness and injury caused by violence.

John Hutton: The national baseline figure for sickness absence levels in the national health service, set in an exercise carried out in 1999, was 4.9 per cent. The Department is currently analysing data collected earlier this year to monitor progress in meeting the public service agreement target for the reduction in levels of staff absence.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the public service agreement target for reducing the number of children re-registered on a child protection register.

Jacqui Smith: There is a National Priorities Guidance target to reduce by 10 per cent., by 2002, the proportion of children who are re-registered on the child protection register, from a baseline of 18 per cent. for the year ending 31 March 1997. Achieving this target would involve a reduction to 16.2 per cent. by March 2002.
	This target has already been achieved. The proportion of children who were re-registered on the child protection register fell to 15 per cent. in 1998–99, to 14 per cent. in 1999–2000 and has remained at 14 per cent. in 2000–01, the latest year for which data are available.

Health Providers (Shropshire)

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been made available to health providers in Shropshire other than the health authority in 2001–02 to date.

John Hutton: All 2001–02 revenue funding to date for the four Shropshire national health service trusts has been routed directly through health authorities.
	Capital allocations made directly to NHS trusts by the Department. Total capital allocations so far this year are detailed in the table. These include discretionary capital allocations and additional allocations for specific schemes.
	
		Total capital programme allocations to NHS trusts in Shropshire: -- 2001–02
		
			   £ 
		
		
			 Princess Royal Hospital 4,093,000 
			 Royal Shrewsbury Hospital 4,199,000 
			 Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital 1,436,000 
			 Shropshire's Community and Mental Health Services 2,899,000

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Pakistan

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with President Musharraf about the situation in Pakistan.

Ben Bradshaw: On 23 November, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met President Musharraf in Islamabad. They discussed Afghanistan and Pakistan, Pakistan's support in the fight against terrorism and UK/ Pakistan relations.

Overseas Territories Bill

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the meetings (a) his predecessor and (b) he had with representatives of the Governments of (i) Anguilla, (ii) Bermuda, (iii) the British Virgin Islands, (iv) the Cayman Islands, (v) Montserrat, (vi) Pitcairn, (vii) St. Helena and the St. Helena dependencies and (viii) the Turks and Caicos Islands concerning the implications of the Overseas Territories Bill for human rights legislation in these countries.

Ben Bradshaw: The Overseas Territories Bill has no direct implications for human rights legislation in the Overseas Territories. The Government do, however, regard the establishment and promotion of human rights as an important aspect of our partnership with the territories.

Terrorist/Freedom Fighter Definition

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's definition is of (a) an international terrorist and (b) a freedom fighter; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane), on 27 November 2001, Official Report, columns 82627.

Public Bodies

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will list those public bodies which are the responsibility of his Department and which are not listed in Public Bodies 2000;
	(2)  if he will list those public bodies to which his Department appoints members and which are not listed in Public Bodies 2000.

Ben Bradshaw: Public Bodies 2000 sets out information on non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), certain public corporations (including nationalised industries) and NHS bodies. There are four types of NDPB: executive NDPBs; advisory NDPBs; tribunal NDPBs; and boards of visitors to penal establishments. The next edition will be published around the end of the year. Information about task forces, annual reports and ad hoc advisory groups is set out in an annual report, published by Cabinet Office. Copies of Public Bodies 2000 are in the Library of the House and this publication may be accessed via Cabinet Office's website http://www.officialdocuments.co.uk/document/caboff/ pb00/pb00.htm. Copies of the annual report on task forces and similar bodies have also been placed in the Library of the House and the annual report is being made available on Cabinet Office's website.
	All those public bodies to which the FCO appoints members are listed in Public Bodies 2000.

Local Bodies

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those local bodies which were set up under legislation which is the responsibility of his Department since May 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not responsible for any local bodies.

Bulgaria

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he anticipates Bulgaria will have completed negotiations to enter the EU.

Peter Hain: The Bulgarian Government have recently declared their intention to complete accession negotiations in 2003, with the aim of joining by the end of 2006. HMG will continue to provide advice and support to Bulgaria in order to help it accede to the EU.

UAE-Iraq (Trade)

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Arab Emirates-Iraq free trade agreement on 2 November; and what plans he has for the discussions on the issue to be held in Muscat in December.

Ben Bradshaw: The UN oil for food programme, which enables Iraq to use the revenue from its oil sales through the UN to buy goods worth billions of dollars each year to meet the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people and to rehabilitate Iraq's infrastructure, has led to significant growth in Iraq's trade with its neighbours. We have no objection to agreements to promote this trade to benefit the Iraqi people, provided that such agreements neither breach UN controls, for example by promoting the export from Iraq of goods other than crude oil, nor contribute to the Iraqi regime's aim to engineer the lifting of UN controls without having to meet its international obligations, particularly on disarmament.
	We are not aware of any plans to discuss this issue in Muscat.

Never Again Leaflet

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of producing the Never Again leaflet; and to whom it has been distributed.

Denis MacShane: The cost of producing the Never Again leaflet was 23,971. Copies have been distributed to Members of Parliament and members of the devolved legislatures, as well as to British Embassies and High Commissions for use with overseas audiences and to foreign journalists in London. The text is also available on the FCO website. Further copies in English, Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, Bengali, Hindi and Urdu are available from the Islamic Media Unit at the FCO.

Ceuta and Melilla

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what indications he has received from the Spanish Government of its intention (a) to transfer sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla to Morocco and (b) to arrange joint sovereignty of those territories with Morocco.

Peter Hain: None.

India

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit India.

Ben Bradshaw: The Foreign Secretary hopes to visit India next year. Dates have not yet been set.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to change his (a) Department's expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 200102.

Denis MacShane: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's departmental expenditure limit (DEL) will be decreased by 3,206,000 from 1,365,910,000 to 1,362,704,000 and the administration costs limit will be decreased by 960,000 from 635,558,000 to 634,598,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the table.
	
		
			  000 
		
		
			 Resources  
			 Change -2,416 
			 New DEL 1,236,138 
			 Of which:  
			 Voted 1,067,237 
			 Non-voted 168,901 
			   
			 Capital  
			 Change -790 
			 New DEL 126,566 
			 Of which:  
			 Voted 103,066 
			 Non-voted 23,500 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:
	1. A reduction of 960,000 in the FCO's administration cost limit as a result of a PES (public expenditure survey) transfer to the DTI, relating to funding arrangements for British Trade International.
	2. A PES transfer of 886,000 to the Cabinet Office relating to funding arrangements for the BBC Monitoring Service.
	3. A PES transfer of 570,000 to DFID to reflect funding arrangements for a refurbishment project.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from a PES transfer of 790,000 to the DTI relating to funding arrangements for British Trade International.
	The decreases are offset by inter-departmental transfers and will not impact on the planned total of public expenditure.

Zimbabwe

Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on evidence he has received concerning attacks on opposition MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) supporters in Zimbabwe; and what implications this has for free and fair presidential elections in 2002.

Ben Bradshaw: The most recent reports we have of such incidents concern attacks on opposition MDC supporters by war veterans and ZANU (PF) activists in Bulawayo during the weekend of 1718 November. MDC supporters are also reported to have retaliated. We condemn such politically motivated violence from whatever quarter, and continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to take immediate action to prevent further incidents which threaten to undermine the conduct of free and fair presidential elections in 2002.

Zimbabwe

Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish evidence he has received indicating violations of human rights by Government Ministers in Zimbabwe.

Ben Bradshaw: We have received a number of reports compiled by non-governmental organisations of alleged human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. The most recent is a report by the Human Rights Forum a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. We regularly raise our concern about human rights in Zimbabwe with the Government of Zimbabwe.

Tibet

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the issues he raised with regard to Tibet during the meeting with the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister on 30 October; and what the response of the Chinese Government was.

Denis MacShane: At my meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, I made clear our concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet and urged the Chinese Government to enter into dialogue with the Dalai Lama, about the future of Tibet. The Chinese Foreign Minister took note.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

UK Atomic Energy Authority

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will announce the outcome of the Quinquennial Review of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

Brian Wilson: The Government have now considered the recommendations made by the Review Team in its second and final report.
	The report focuses primarily on arrangements for managing public sector civil nuclear liabilities on a more open, transparent, efficient and sustainable basis and on UKAEA's place within any new arrangements which might be put in place.
	The conclusions we have reached are set out in the statement which the Secretary of State made to the House earlier today in which she announced the Government's intention to put a sharper focus on nuclear clean-up by setting up a new Liabilities Management Authority responsible for providing the strong strategic control and direction which is essential; developing a supply base capable of sustaining the clean-up programme over the long term; and enhancing safety and environmental performance while securing management efficiencies and best value for money. Working with the LMA, UKAEA will have a key role to play in delivering these objectives in relation to the liabilities for which it is currently responsible, building and improving on what it has achieved to date.
	In relation to UKAEA's other activities the report recommends that:
	UKAEA, in conjunction with the other public sector bodies on the site, should evaluate options for the future development of Harwell as a basis for decisions on a long term strategy for the development of the site as a whole;
	the UKAEA Constabulary should be established as a stand-alone force employed by a statutory Police Authority;
	UKAEA should retain responsibility for managing the UK's fusion capability and for operating the JET (joint European torus) research facility at Culham under contract to the European Commission but that a Fusion Advisory Board should be established to give fusion a more distinctive identity within the UKAEA, bring a broader perspective to its thinking on fusion strategy and drive forward action on science and industry out-reach;
	the Thurso pensions office should remain part of UKAEA for the foreseeable future but that options for outsourcing offering the prospect of additional work for the office should be kept under review.
	The Government have accepted all these recommendations. Those relating to the development of Harwell and fusion will be implemented immediately. Legislation to create an independent Constabulary and a statutory Police Authority will be brought forward at the first available opportunity. Views will be invited in due course on the precise detail of the legislative provisions involved.
	The Government believe that fusion power has the potential to make a real and valuable contribution to meeting energy needs in the medium term. We are therefore concerned to maintain and make best use of UK expertise in fusion research. To this end, responsibility for funding the UK fusion programme will be transferred to the Research Councils as a further means of encouraging integration with the wider science base and ensuring continuity in the UK's research capability in this area.
	I have arranged for copies of the QQR Team's Stage 1 and Stage 2 reports to be placed in the Libraries of the House. The reports can also be accessed via the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk.

Refrigerators (Recycling)

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice she is giving to (a) retail outlets who previously have collected old refrigerators when supplying new refrigerators to customers and (b) small retail businesses who have previously collected the old refrigerators from large retail outlets and then sold them as second hand items, consequent upon changes coming into effect in relation to EC regulation 2037/2000.

Brian Wilson: EC Regulation 2037/2000 on substances which deplete the ozone layer is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Officials in my Department have been working closely with officials in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and relevant stakeholders to develop guidance that will enable both the retail outlets and small businesses mentioned to comply with the new requirements.

British Trade International

Frank Doran: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes will be made to the Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit of British Trade International.

Patricia Hewitt: Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the voted element of the Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit for British Trade International will be increased by 2,184,000 from 86,634,000 to 88,818,000.
	This increase relates to:
	1. a transfer of 2,000,000 in resources from the Department of Trade and Industry to fund the UK Global programme;
	2. a transfer of 10,000 in resources from the Department of Trade and Industry, in payment of their contribution to a feasibility study for the development of an international banking facility;
	3. a transfer of 174,000 in resources from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, in respect of the Exports Construction Centre, required to reflect part of the machinery of Government changes announced by the Prime Minister on 8 June 2001.
	The increase will be offset by transfers and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Cammell Laird

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date AP made their submission to the Office of Fair Trading supporting their purchase of Cammell Laird shipbuilders.

Melanie Johnson: The merger was notified to the Office of Fair Trading on 5 October 2001.

Export Control Bill

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason reference to sustainable development does not appear in the long title of the Export Control Bill.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 27 November 2001
	Under the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria the Government are obliged to take into account whether or not a proposed arms export would seriously undermine the economy or seriously hamper the sustainable development of the recipient country. Under clause 8 of the Bill, these criteria are to be treated as published guidance that the Government must have regard to in making licensing decisions. As the Bill requires the Government to continue to take the criteria (which include criterion 8 on sustainable development) into account in licensing decisions, it is unnecessary to mention sustainable development on the face of the Bill.

Cowboy Builders

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in her schemes to combat cowboy builders; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 13 November 2001
	I launched the Quality Mark pilot scheme to consumers in Birmingham and Somerset in July. The Quality Mark scheme provides the public with a means of checking technical and other standards of a builder. The public response has been very encouraging. The call-centre is receiving an average of 60 calls a day and the website has had around 12,000 hits since the launch. Quality Mark companies are already starting to see positive improvements to their business. 131 builders and tradesmen have now been approved. 175 companies are in the pipeline with further numbers expected to come forward in the weeks and months ahead. We are continuing to work with leading trade bodies and other organisations to promote access to Quality Mark for their members.
	We will be commencing formal evaluation of the scheme with partners early in the new year and expect a report to be submitted to Ministers in February 2002, following which a formal decision will be made about extending Quality Mark to the rest of the country.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Christine Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to change the departmental expenditure limit and administration cost limits for (a) her Department, (b) the Office of Fair Trading, (c) the Office of Telecommunications, (d) the Postal Services Commission and (e) the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets.

Patricia Hewitt: Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate the Department of Trade and Industry DEL will be increased by 217,381,000 from 4,549,049,000 to 4,766,430,000 and the Administration Costs limit will be increased by 23,407,000 from 411,938,000 to 435,345,000. This is the impact on the DTI DEL excluding the Machinery of Government transfers from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. Further consideration is being given to the effect on the DEL for both Departments.
	Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is as set out in the table:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 Resources  
			 Change 194,784 
			 New DEL 3,971,606 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 1,393,728 
			 Non-voted 2,577,878 
			   
			 Capital  
			 Change 22,597 
			 New DEL 794,824 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 482,703 
			 Non-voted 312,121 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from
	(i) a transfer of 83,000 in administration costs from the Crown Prosecution Service for the administration of work taken over by the Insolvency Service;
	(ii) a transfer of 960,000 from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the administration of British Trade International;
	(iii) a transfer of 776,000 in administration costs provision to the Cabinet Office for the funding of Government Offices of the Regions to reflect Machinery of Government transfers;
	(iv) take up of 6,919,000 from the unused balance of the Department's administration costs end-year flexibility entitlement;
	(v) a transfer of 256,000 in administration costs from HM Treasury in respect of the Evidence Based Policy Fund Project;
	(vi) a transfer of 2,272,000 in administration costs from the Department for Education and Skills for the administration of the Work-Life Balance to reflect Machinery of Government transfers;
	(vii) a transfer of 19,000 in administration costs from the Home Office for the administration of the Easter  British Summer Time; Sunday Trading, Street Markets and Chartered Fairs Projects to reflect Machinery of Government Transfers;
	(viii) a transfer of 220,000 in administration costs and 273,000 in programme costs from the Home Office for the administration of the Prison Pay Review Service;
	(ix) a transfer of 5,300,000 from capital to administration costs under the Public Private Partnership project for the funding of the Electronic Business Strategy;
	(x) take up of 8,121,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement for the Capital Modernisation Fund for Small and Medium Enterprise on-line projects;
	(xi) a reclassification of the payment of 700,000 to SITPRO (Simpler Trade Procedures Board) as a Grant-in-Aid to a Non-Departmental Public Body, thereby increasing non-Voted DEL and decreasing voted DEL by the above amount;
	(xii) a transfer of 58,000 from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for the provision of a helpline for the European Union's Framework Five Thematic Programme for comparative and sustainable growth;
	(xiii) take up of 27,400,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement for payments to redundant steel workers under the European Coal  Steel Community (ECSC) Treaty and to certain steel production workers based on the Treaty;
	(xiv) a reclassification from capital to resource of 3,722,000 for the Rover Task Force Modernisation and Diversification Projects;
	(xv) a reclassification from capital to resource of 175,000 for the Regional Innovation Fund Corridor Study;
	(xvi) take up of 3,000,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement in respect of 1,000,000 for UK Global Partnerships and the transfer of 2,000,000 to British Trade International for enterprise scholarships and pilot programmes for entrepreneurs;
	(xvii) a transfer of 340,000 from the Home Office for the Design against Crime Reduction Project;
	(xviii) a transfer of 70,000 from the Department for Education and Skills for Work-Life Balance Secondees;
	(xix) a transfer of 1,535,000 from the Department for Education and Skills for publicity and evaluation in relation to the Work-Life Balance project to reflect Machinery of Government transfers;
	(xx) a transfer of 4,450,000 in resources and 50,000 in Appropriations in Aid from the Department for Education and Skills for the Work Life Balance project to reflect Machinery of Government transfers;
	(xxi) a transfer of 22,158,000 from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in respect of support for the construction industry to reflect Machinery of Government transfers;
	(xxii) a transfer of 6,684,000 in administration costs to reflect Machinery of Government transfers from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in respect of support for the construction industry;
	(xxiii) a reclassification of 17,440,000 from voted to non-Voted DEL to reflect the funding of Regional Development Agencies following Machinery of Government changes xxiv) a transfer of 350,000 to the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets to cover their costs of implementing the Climate Change Levy exemption for electricity from renewable sources xxv) take up of 3,100,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement for the Shipbuilding Intervention Fund;
	(xxvi) take up of 2,320,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end year flexibility entitlement in respect of expenditure related to the National Minimum Wage;
	(xxvii) a transfer of 10,000 to British Trade International in respect of a feasibility study for the development of an international banking facility;
	(xxviii) take up of 2,000,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement to provide for increased non-Voted expenditure by the Coal Authority on minewater pollution and to offset a shortfall in receipts from property sales as a result of foot and mouth restrictions.
	RfR2
	(i) take up of 100,000 of the non-Voted Science Departmental Unallocated Provision to increase voted grant to the Royal Society for the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) inquiry;
	(ii) take up of 3,000,000 of the non-voted Science Departmental Unallocated Provision for additional voted funding of the Beagle II Lander project, with creation of a token 1,000 Appropriations in Aid;
	(iii) take up of 12,499,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement to fund University Challenge Fund projects delayed from previous years;
	(iv) take up of 415,000 of the Science Departmental Unallocated Provision for voted funding of Foresight LINK Awards;
	(v) take up of 5,000,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement to fund Science Enterprise Challenge projects;
	(vi) a transfer of 205,000 in administration costs from the Home Office to the Office of Science and Technology for the administration of the Foresight Crime Prevention Panel;
	(vii) a transfer of 45,000 in administration costs from the Office of Science and Technology to the Department of Health for Human Genetic Research;
	(viii) an increase of 35,577,000 in the non-voted resource expenditure of certain Science Research Councils;
	In addition to the above changes reflected in the RfRs, the resource DEL has also changed as a result of increased non-voted expenditure on provisions of 43,300,000 (funded from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement).
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from:
	RfR1
	(i) take up of 10,792,000 of end-year flexibility from the Capital Modernisation Fund for the Small Business Service Gateway Projects;
	(ii) a transfer of 790,000 from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the administration of British Trade International;
	(iii) a transfer of 5,300,000 from capital to administration costs under the Public Private Partnership project for the funding of the Electronic Business Strategy;
	(iv) a reclassification from capital to resource of 3,722,000 for the Rover Task Force Modernisation and Diversification Projects;
	(v) a reclassification from capital to resource of 175,000 for the Regional Innovation Fund Corridor Study;
	(vi) to take up 3,200,000 from the unused balance of the Department's capital end-year flexibility entitlement for the conversion of part of Victoria Street restaurant area into conference facilities;
	(vii) a reclassification of 31,200,000 from voted to non-Voted DEL to reflect the funding of Regional Development Agencies via Grant in Aid following Machinery of Government changes;
	(viii) take up of 9,300,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end year flexibility entitlement for the Trent Engine Development Project;
	(ix) a transfer of 19,000 in capital to reflect Machinery of Government transfers from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in respect of Construction Initiatives, Regional Development Agencies and the London Development Agency.
	RfR2
	(i) increases in non-Voted expenditure of 1,000,000 by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and 3,000,000 by the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils, funded by a 4,000,000 reduction in voted provision for the Synchrotron Radiation Source project;
	(ii) an increase of 7,693,000 in the non-voted resource expenditure of certain Science Research Councils.
	In addition, subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Office of Fair Trading Departmental Expenditure Limit will be increased by 7,680,000 from 32,845,000 to 40,525,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by 6,981,000 from 31,163,000 to 38,144,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is as set out in the table:
	
		
			  000 
		
		
			 Resources  
			 Change 6,850 
			 New DEL 38,297 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 38,297 
			 Non-voted 0 
			   
			 Capital  
			 Change 830 
			 New DEL 2,228 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 2,228 
			 Non-voted 0 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from the provision of 6,230,000 to enable the Office of Fair Trading to meet commitments set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the Enterprise Statement. In addition, there is an increase in the resource element of the DEL resulting from the take up of end year flexibility provision of 620,000.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from the provision of 830,000 to enable the Office of Fair Trading to meet commitments set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the Enterprise Statement.
	Also, subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Office of Telecommunications DEL will be increased by 126,000 from 1,599,000 to 1,725,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by 231,000 from 15,718,000 to 15,949,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the table:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Resources  
			 Change 1 
			 New DEL 720 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 720 
			 Non-voted 0 
			   
			 Capital  
			 Change 125 
			 New DEL 1,005 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 1,005 
			 Non-voted 0 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from 200001 consultancy projects which were delayed until the new financial year.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from a capital project having a phased implementation leading to additional costs in 200102.
	In addition, subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Postal Services Commission's DEL will be increased by 222,000 from 1,000 to 223,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by 700,000 from 2,300,000 to 3,000,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the table:
	
		
			  000 
		
		
			 Resources  
			 Change 0 
			 New DEL -99 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 1 
			 Non-voted -100 
			   
			 Capital  
			 Change 222 
			 New DEL 322 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 322 
			 Non-voted 0 
		
	
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from the take up of the Commission's capital End Year Flexibility entitlement of 222,000 announced in Table 6 of the Public Expenditure 200001 Outturn White Paper (Cm5243).
	The change in the administration costs limit reflects an increase in staff numbers.
	Also, subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Departmental Expenditure Limit for the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets will be increased by 350,000 from 351,000 and the administration costs limit will be increased from 350,000 from 35,780,000 to 36,130,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is as set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Resources  
			 Change 350 
			 New DEL 351 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 351 
			 Non-voted 0 
			   
			 Capital  
			 Change 0 
			 New DEL 965 
			 of which:  
			 Voted 965 
			 Non-voted 0 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from a transfer of 350,000 from the Department of Trade and Industry to cover the costs of implementing the Climate Change Levy exemption for electricity from renewable sources.
	All of the above increases will either be offset by inter-departmental transfers, take-up of End-Year Flexibility or use of Departmental Unallocated Provisions and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Railtrack

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what inquiries she has made into the competition practices of National Rail Supplies, Railtrack and Railtrack's contractors.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 27 November 2001
	Under UK competition legislation it is for the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate allegations of anti-competitive behaviour. These powers are exercised concurrently with the Rail Regulator with respect to railway services.

Renewable Energy

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to develop renewable energy.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 23 November 2001
	The Government have ambitious plans to develop renewable energy.
	The new Renewables Obligation, to come into effect next year, together with exemption of renewables from the climate change levy, will create a long-term market incentive for renewables which will be worth over 1 billion per year by 2010.
	The introduction of the Obligation will be underpinned by direct Government funding for renewables worth over 260 million between 2001 and 2004. This will include an extensive capital grants programme for the early development of offshore wind and energy crops, the initial stage of a major photovoltaics demonstration programme and a boost for research and development.
	Other components of the Government's strategy to develop renewable energy include:
	honouring of contracts awarded under the earlier arrangements to support renewables, the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) Orders. In addition, we have consulted on a proposal to introduce a NFFO locational flexibility Order and we are now considering the responses made to this consultation.
	Initiation of studies of each UK region's capacity to generate electricity from renewable sources. Once all these assessments are completed, it is expected that specific regional targets for renewable energy will be adopted across the UK.
	The Government are also exploring the scope for upgrading the existing electricity infrastructure to enable the UK's huge renewable energy resources to be exploited to the full. I recently announced that we will be funding an initial study of the feasibility of an underwater cable to connect parts of the western seaboard of Scotland, the north west of England, Northern Ireland, western Wales and possibly the south west of England directly to the National Grid.

Overseas Commercial Activities (Accountability Legislation)

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to discuss with her European counterparts the introduction of legislation to hold companies accountable for their activities overseas.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 27 November 2001
	My ministerial colleagues and I regularly discuss a wide range of issues with our European counterparts.

Post Office Card Accounts

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of how many post office card accounts there will be on the basis of existing plans.

Douglas Alexander: This matter is being considered within the context of an overall migration and marketing strategy for the payment of benefits by automated credit transfer on which detailed work is in progress.

Postal Deliveries

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of first class letters from (a) Eastbourne and (b) Wealden postcode areas were delivered by (a) first and (b) second post the next day in each of the last 20 quarters for which figures are available.

Douglas Alexander: This is an operational issue for Consignia.
	I have been informed by the company that this information is not held for individual postcode areas.

Postal Deliveries

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with Consignia about changes to the second daily Royal Mail delivery.

Douglas Alexander: The Department has regular discussions with Consignia about a range of strategic issues facing the company. However, changes to the second daily Royal Mail delivery are operational issues for the company, subject to the regulatory powers and duties of the Postal Services Commission in respect of service standards.

Postal Deliveries

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of (a) first and (b) second class mail was delivered as part of a second daily delivery in the last 12 months.

Douglas Alexander: This is an operational issue for Consignia.
	I have been informed by the company that this information is not available for the precise split between first and second class mail delivered on second delivery but it is predominantly first class, while only 4 per cent. of mail nationally is delivered on a second delivery.

Public Service Orders

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which air routes in Britain benefit from a public service order.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	The following routes currently have a public service obligation imposed on them:
	Glasgow-Campbelltown-Tiree
	Glasgow-Barra
	Orkney (Mainland)-Papa Westray
	Orkney (Mainland)-North Ronaldsay
	Shetland (Mainland)-Foula
	Shetland (Mainland)-Papa Stour
	Shetland (Mainland)-Out Skerries
	Shetland (Mainland)-Fair Isle
	Stornoway-Benbecula
	Benbecula-Barra.

Climate Change Levy

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect of climate change levy after rebates on the manufacturing sector in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Wiltshire; and if she will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The climate change levy became operational only in April this year and the first payments are still being received by Customs and Excise. It is too early to assess its impact.
	However, the impact on any specific sector, whether nationally or in any particular region, will depend on a number of factors including:
	The future energy consumption of firms in the sector and the use they make of levy funded energy efficiency support.
	Employment levels in those sectors and the benefits received from the levy funded national insurance contribution cuts.
	The number of energy intensive firms in that sector that are eligible to receive a discount on the main rates of the levy by signing up to an energy efficiency agreement.
	The use that firms in that sector make of electricity generated from levy exempt 'new' renewable sources of energy and combined heat and power.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

Grand Committees

Roy Beggs: To ask the President of the Council on how many occasions the Northern Ireland Grand Committee has met in Northern Ireland (a) in the five years prior to devolution and (b) since devolution.

Robin Cook: Until March 1997 the Committee had no power to meet away from Westminster and it has never done so.

Grand Committees

Roy Beggs: To ask the President of the Council on how many occasions the Scottish Grand Committee has met in Scotland (a) in the five years prior to devolution and (b) since devolution.

Robin Cook: Before the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament on 12 May 1999, the Scottish Grand Committee met away from Westminster as follows.
	
		
			 Year Number of occasions 
		
		
			 1994 2 
			 1995 4 
			 1996 13 
			 1997 3 
			 1998 2 
			 1999 4 
		
	
	The Scottish Grand Committee has only met once since the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament (on 10 July 2000).

Grand Committees

Roy Beggs: To ask the President of the Council on how many occasions the Welsh Grand Committee has met in Wales (a) in the five years prior to devolution and (b) since devolution.

Robin Cook: Until March 1996 the Grand Committee had no power to meet away from Westminster; since then the Committee has met in Wales as follows:
	
		
			 Year Number of occasions 
		
		
			 1997 1 
			 1998 2 
			 1999(19) 1 
			 2000 0 
			 2001 1 
		
	
	(19) Before 12 May 1999
	The National Assembly for Wales first met on 12 May 1999.

House of Lords Appointments Commission

Gordon Prentice: To ask the President of the Council what the cost is to date of the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

Robin Cook: I understand that the latest available figures show that the House of Lords Appointments Commission spent 248,000 in 200001 and to the end of October, 73,000 has been spent in 200102.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

George Howarth: To ask the President of the Council whether there are any plans to change (a) the departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 200102.

Robin Cook: The Privy Council Office DEL will be decreased by 444,000 from 3,405,000 to 2,961,000 and the administration costs limits will be decreased by 444,000 from 3,445,000 to 3,001,000. Within the DEL change there is no impact on capital; the impact on resources is set out in the table.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Resources  
			 Change -444 
			 New DEL 2,961,000 
			 of which:  
			 Voted -444 
			 Non-voted 0 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:
	1. A transfer of 320,000 to the Cabinet Office, following the transfer of the Business Co-ordination Unit under machinery of government changes.
	2. A transfer of 177,000 to DEFRA, who have assumed responsibility for an official residence in Admiralty House.
	3. 53,000 allocated to the Office from the Invest to Modernise Fund.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration

Christopher Chope: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many formal notices his Department has received in the last year from the Parliamentary Ombudsman expressing an intention to carry out an investigation; and in respect of each notice how long it took to respond.

Michael Wills: Information on the outcome of statutory investigations which were concluded during 200001 are set out in the Parliamentary Ombudsman's Annual Report for 200001, copies of which are available in the Library of the House, or on the Parliamentary Ombudsman's website at www.ombudsman.org.uk/pca/document/part01/ index/htm.
	Between 1 April 2001 and 31 October 2001, the Lord Chancellor's Department received 15 new statutory statements of complaint from the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the details for each department are set out in the table.
	
		Formal notices issued by Parliamentary Ombudsman 1 April 2001 to 31 October 2001
		
			  Department  Number received  Number responded to Working days to respond to each notice 
		
		
			 Lord Chancellor's Department(20) 2 2 16, 17 
			 
			 Court Service 10 10 10, 13, 15, 16, 23, 27, 34, 45, 55, 91 
			 
			 Public Guardianship Office 2 1 26 
			 
			 HM Land Registry 1 1 19 
			 
			 Northern Ireland Court Service 0 0  
			 
			 Public Record Office 0 0  
		
	
	(20) Letter of 27 February 2001 not received until 30 April 2001

Complaints

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress is being made with the case of a complaint by Mr. Paul Bayliss of Lloyds  Cooper.

Michael Wills: The Lord Chancellor as head of the judiciary has personally instructed a full investigation into all the circumstances relevant to this complaint and is not yet in a position to respond. It is the Lord Chancellor's intention to bring this investigation to as prompt a conclusion as possible.

TREASURY

National Enterprise Campaign

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of the National Enterprise Campaign.

Nigel Griffiths: I have been asked to reply.
	The National Enterprise Campaign, now known as Enterprise Insight, is a 10-year private sector-led national campaign for enterprise. The campaign has strong support within Government and works in partnership with enterprise programme providers including Young Enterprise, Shell LiveWIRE and the Prince's Trust to promote enterprise by fostering an entrepreneurial sprit across the UK through four key initiatives: Enterprising Education; Enterprising Communities; Enterprising Media; Enterprising Business.
	The campaign has made steady progress over its first 18 months. Since the launch of the Enterprising Education Campaign in July 2001, 246 business have registered their interest in promoting enterprise within schools with a further 750 expected by 2002. The aim over the next two years is to get 40,000 more young people engaged in enterprise learning in schools and 5,000 new business people to support its delivery. This will be done through a number of activities including hosting road shows and the development of a website which will enable businesses to register their interest on-line. In addition, the Entrepreneurs in Residence scheme, which matches businesses to local enterprise projects, is also well under wayso far the first five matches have already been made. Enterprise Insight also aims to promote enterprise more positively across society and, in particular, plans to work with the media using case studies and role models to help spread more positive attitudes about entrepreneurship and business.

Tourism

Patsy Calton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what analysis his Department has undertaken on the impact of the slow down in the world economy on tourism.

Richard Caborn: I have been asked to reply.
	In addition to world economic conditions, there are a number of factors currently affecting tourism, including the impact of foot and mouth disease and the 11 September terrorist attacks. It is as yet too early to conduct a detailed assessment of the impact of world economic conditions in isolation.

Mortgages

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average income multiple for mortgages agreed in the last financial year was for (a) individuals and (b) couples.

Sally Keeble: I have been asked to reply.
	The average income-to-advance ratio for mortgaged house purchases during the last financial year is estimated to have been (a) 2.49 for individuals and (b) 2.17 for couples.
	Mortgage repayments as a percentage of income for those buying homes during the last financial year are estimated to have been (a) 17.4 per cent. for individuals and (b) 15.4 per cent. for couples. During the third quarter of 2001 these figures were (a) 15.4 per cent. for individuals and (b) 13.3 per cent. for couples.

Youth Unemployment

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people aged 18 to 24 years were unemployed for more than six months in each year since May 1992 in the constituency of Arundel and South Downs.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Howard Flight, dated 28 November 2001
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of people aged 18 to 24 years who were unemployed for more than six months for each year since May 1992 in the constituency of Arundel and South Downs (18312).
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics for unemployment from surveys following the internationally standard International Labour Organisation definition. However, for the Arundel and South Downs parliamentary constituency the survey sample size is too small to provide estimates. ONS also compiles statistics of claimants of unemployment-related benefits. The claimant count consists of all people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or National Insurance credits at Employment Service local offices. They must declare that they are out of work, capable of, available for and actively seeking work during the week in which the claim is made.
	Prior to January 1996 comparable figures for earlier years are not available on the same geographical basis. Information on computerised claims by age and duration for parliamentary constituencies from January 1996 were based on the ward boundaries of the 1981 census and are available from June 1985 to January 1996.
	The information requested is given in the table overleaf.
	
		Claimants aged 18 to 24 claiming for six months or more in the Arundel and South Downs parliamentary constituency for each May 1992 to May 2001 (computerised claims only)
		
			  Number of claimants of unemployment benefit 
		
		
			 May 1992 (21)418 
			 May 1993 (21)529 
			 May 1994 (21)447 
			 May 1995 (21)345 
			 May 1996 110 
			 May 1997 40 
			 May 1998 19 
			 May 1999 9 
			 May 2000 8 
			 May 2001 3 
		
	
	(21) These figures refer to the Arundel parliamentary constituency

Tax Credits

Russell Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rates and thresholds of the (a) working families tax credit and (b) disabled person's tax credit will be from April 2002.

Dawn Primarolo: The main WFTC and DPTC rates and income thresholds will be increased in line with indexation from April 2002. There will be further increases aimed at helping families with children with disabilities.

Tax Credits

Karen Buck: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place a copy of the responses to the tax credits consultation document in the Library.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government are very grateful for the many responses we have received to the consultation document and will be responding in due course.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Barbara Follett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change Customs and Excise (a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 200102.

Paul Boateng: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the HM Customs and Excise DEL will be increased by 79,505,000 from 1,049,066,000 to 1,128,571,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by 25,889,000 from 924,894,000 to 950,783,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is as set out in the table.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 Resources  
			 Change 47,520,000 
			 New DEL 1,038,559,000 
			 Of which:  
			 Voted 1,033,559,000 
			 Non-voted 5,000,000 
			   
			 Capital  
			 Change 31,985,000 
			 New DEL 90,012,000 
			 Of which:  
			 Voted 89,012,000 
			 Non-voted 1,000,000 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from: the take-up of end-year flexibility entitlement of 24,208,000 on administration costs and 5,131,000 on programme expenditure as set out in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (CM 5243); a switch from capital EYF of 16,000,000 into programme expenditure; additional resources of 100,000 under round 3 of the Invest to Save Budget on administration costs; and additional SR2000 resources of 1,714,000 on administration costs and 500,000 on programme expenditure for tackling organised crime. These increases are partially offset by decreases in administration costs of: 69,000 to the Cabinet Office for fast stream recruitment operations; and 64,000 to DEFRA in respect of the Whisky Export Refund Scheme. The total administration costs change is 25,889,000.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from: the take-up of end-year flexibility of 30,000,000; and additional funding of 1,985,000 in respect of round 3 of the Capital Modernisation Fund.
	The increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Jackie Lawrence: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to amend the Inland Revenue (a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limit for 200102.

Dawn Primarolo: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Inland Revenue departmental expenditure limit will be increased by 83,602,000 from 2,473,375,000 to 2,556,977,000 and the administration costs limit will be increased by 26,356,000 from 2,410,165,000 to 2,436,521,000. The net administration costs limit is increased by 1,919,000 from-7,973,000 to-6,054,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is set out in table:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 Resources  
			 Change 28,018 
			 New DEL 2,390,416 
			 Of which:  
			 Voted 2,021,370 
			 Non-voted 369,046 
			   
			 Capital  
			 Change 55,584 
			 New DEL 166,561 
			 Of which:  
			 Voted 166,561 
			 Non-voted 0 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from the draw down of 23,338,000 administration costs EYF and the transfer of 4,679,000 from DWP.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from the draw down of capital EYF and non-discretionary EYF as set out in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (CM 5243).

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Russell Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to amend the Office for National Statistics (a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limit for 200102.

Ruth Kelly: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Office for National Statistics DEL will be increased by 11,446,000 from 186,075,000 to 197,350,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by 5,346,000 from 179,285,000 to 184,631,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is as set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Resources Capital 
		
		
			 Change 5,346,000 6,100,000 
			 New DEL 185,430,000 11,920,000 
			 Of which:   
			 Voted 184,630,000 11,920,000 
			 Non-voted 800,000 0 
		
	
	The increase in the resource element of the DEL arises from the take up of end-year flexibility entitlement as set out in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (Cm 5243) and will be used to fund census-related and other expenditure commitments. In addition, 6,000,000 will be drawn from the Departmental Unallocated Provision to meet similar spending pressures.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from the take-up of funds from a Capital Modernisation Fund award of 6,100,000 for development of a statistics service to improve neighbourhood renewal.The increase will be offset by transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

Jackie Lawrence: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change HM Treasury's (a) departmental expenditure limits and (b) administration costs limits for 200102.

Ruth Kelly: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, HM Treasury's DEL will be increased by 35,267,000 from 209,578,000 to 244,845,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by 9,678,000 from 97,011,000 to 106,689,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is as set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Resources Capital 
		
		
			 Change 25,940 9,327 
			 New DEL 229,768 15,077 
			 Of which:   
			 Voted 200,397 14,777 
			 Non-voted 29,371 300 
		
	
	The change in the resource element of the DEL for RfR1 arises from the take-up of administration costs EYF (1,640,000) and programme costs EYF (3,662,000), to meet the additional costs of the Treasury's planned programme of work involving additional expenditure in policy areas, including those dealing with better public services, Whole of Government Accounts and productivity, the Equitable Life Inquiry, and Debt Management Office's initiatives to improve their management of risk and further professionalise their operations; to draw down the administration costs sums allocated from the Civil Service Modernisation Fund (570,000) for early retirement costs and an interchange project, and from the Capital Modernisation Fund (55,000) in respect of the Evidence Based Policy Fund projects; and a transfer of administration costs to the Cabinet Office in respect of Fast Stream recruitment operations (282,000). The change in the capital element of the DEL for RfR1 arises from the reclassification of programme expenditure EYF to capital provision (9,404,000), for the new service relating to the indemnity and insurance cover HMT has offered to aviation companies in the wake of WTC of 11 September, by way of a loan note with Troika Insurance Company Ltd., and for additional IT and communications equipment. There are also additional non-operating appropriations in aid in respect of higher than expected capital receipts (77,000).
	The change in the resource element of the DEL for RfR2 arises from the take-up of programme costs EYF (2,000,000), to meet the increased demand for UK coins.
	The change in the resource element of the DEL for RfR3 arises from the take-up of administration costs EYF (5,172,000) and programme costs EYF (10,000,000), to meet the costs of e-commerce pilot schemes and to fund the disposal of surplus civil estate properties; the reclassification of programme costs EYF to administration costs for the costs associated with the OGC pay remit and VER scheme (2,848,000); to draw down the administration costs sums allocated from the Civil Service Modernisation Fund (325,000) for the promoting professional qualifications project; and a transfer of programme expenditure to the National Care Standards Commission in respect of the leasehold of Avonbridge House (50,000).
	The increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Tax Receipts

Michael Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to improve the short-term forecasting of tax receipts.

Dawn Primarolo: Short-term forecasts are routinely monitored against outturns, the reasons for discrepancies identified where possible, and allowances are made for these in future forecasts where necessary.

Tax Receipts

Michael Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will publish for each month of the current financial year the error rate occurring between the projected tax and VAT receipts and those which actually resulted;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library details of the economic model used by the Inland Revenue to forecast monthly tax receipts.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 23 November 2001
	I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my reply of 14 November 2001, Official Report, column 775W, the answer the Financial Secretary gave him on 20 July under cover of a letter and the letter which the Economic Secretary sent him on 27 September (copies of both of which have been placed in the Library of the House).

Tax Receipts

Michael Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff are used by the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise to produce the monthly short-term forecasts of tax receipts; and what the annual costs for this exercise are.

Dawn Primarolo: Around 18 staff spend a small proportion of their time producing the monthly forecasts of tax receipts. No estimates of the annual cost are available.

Tax Receipts

Michael Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) sections and (b) those of grade 3 and above in the Treasury which receive copies of the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise short-term receipts forecasts and state for each recipient the use to which the information is put.

Dawn Primarolo: The sections that receive the short- term forecasts are: Public Sector Finances, Exchequer Funds and Accounts and the Debt Management Office. No officials of grade 3 and above routinely receive copies of these forecasts.

Tax Receipts

Michael Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the methodology used to produce the levels of current receipts shown in table C4 of Budget 2001 and show how this related to the contents of paragraph C17, C18 and C19 of Budget 2001.

Dawn Primarolo: Table C4 is consistent with the Office for National Statistics methodology for Public Finance Statistics. The assumptions mentioned in paragraphs C1719 of Budget 2001, together with those in Box C1, are used as the basis for the projections by the Inland Revenue, and Customs and Excise for taxes, on a tax by tax basis, and the Treasury for other receipts. Details of how these assumptions are converted into forecasts for revenues are given in Forecasting the Public Finances in the Treasury, by Tim Pike and David Savage, Fiscal Studies, 1998. This is available from the publications section of the Institute of Fiscal Studies website www.ifs.org.uk.

Tax Receipts

Michael Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the way in which the Treasury uses the short-term forecasts of tax receipts provided by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue.

Dawn Primarolo: The short-term forecasts are mainly used in the short-term management of Government cash flows.

Tax Receipts

Michael Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement listing the facts and information used by (a) the Inland Revenue and (b) Customs and Excise to produce the short-term forecasts of tax and receipts referred to in the letter of 27 September sent to the right hon. Member for Fylde.

Dawn Primarolo: I have nothing further to add to the information contained in that letter.

Inland Revenue

David Chaytor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to privatise the distraint work of the Inland Revenue; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: This proposal is still under consideration.

Local Authority Debt Repayment

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rules govern annual debt repayments by local authorities in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: Like any other borrowers, local authorities have a contractual obligation to comply with the terms of repayment specified in their agreement with the lender. The local government capital finance system requires English and Welsh authorities each year to set aside amounts out of their revenue resources to meet debt and other credit liabilities. This helps to ensure that, whenever a debt falls due, the authority has enough money to make the repayment. The Government have no immediate plans to change these arrangements.

Financial Regulation (Overseas and Dependent Territories)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the British overseas and dependent territories with which exchange of information agreements have been agreed (a) for tax and (b) financial regulation purposes, indicating the date of such agreement; and if he will list separately those overseas and dependent territories with which no such agreement yet exists.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 26 November 2001
	For tax purposes, the UK has Double Taxation Arrangements with Guernsey (1952), Isle of Man (1955) and Jersey (1952) (all Crown Dependencies), and the Falkland Islands (1997) and Montserrat (1947) (both Overseas Territories) which include provisions for the exchange of information for tax purposes. The UK has no such agreements with the remaining Overseas Territories, ie Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Pitcairn Islands, St. Helena and its Dependencies (St. Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan de Cunha), South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands.
	For financial regulatory purposes, the Overseas Territories of the Caribbean and Bermuda and Gibraltar have in place gateways which allow for the exchange of information with overseas regulators including the UK. The territories of the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands and British Virgin Islands have introduced compulsory powers legislation to enable investigative assistance to overseas regulators to be provided. Bermuda's existing regulatory powers are being strengthened. Anguilla has compulsory powers legislation in draft.
	The Crown Dependencies have Memorandums of Understanding providing for exchange of information with a range of UK regulatory bodies.

Exchange Rate

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent steps he has taken to ensure a competitive sterling to euro exchange rate.

Ruth Kelly: The Government do not have a target for the sterling/euro exchange rate. The way to ensure long-term exchange rate stability and competitiveness is through the pursuit of sound macroeconomic policies aimed at achieving sustained growth and low inflation.

Exchange Rate

Andy Reed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from manufacturers about the rate of sterling in the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The Chancellor and other Treasury Ministers often receive representations from manufacturers and all areas of business on a wide range of economic issues, and value their insights.

Stamp Duty

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional revenue he raised in 200001 from property and land transactions in the Arundel and South Downs constituency as a result of the increases in stamp duty in the March 2000 Budget.

Ruth Kelly: The information is not available.

Manufacturing (East Midlands)

Andy Reed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what analysis he has made of the impact of the slow down in the world economy on manufacturing in the east midlands.

Ruth Kelly: No country can insulate itself from the global economy, and these uncertain times test all regions of the UK. Because of the tough decisions this Government have taken we are today in a better position to withstand the ups and downs of the world economy.
	The pre-Budget report further outlined the Government's regional strategy.

Higher Rate Taxpayers

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many higher rate taxpayers there were in the constituency of Arundel and South Downs in each year since April 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: There were 7,300 higher rate income taxpayers in the constituency of Arundel and South Downs in the 19992000 tax year. This estimate is based on the Survey of Personal Incomes. I regret that estimates are not available for earlier years.

Income Data

Eric Illsley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  of those self-employed aged between (a) 18 and 35, (b) 36 and 45, (c) 46 and 50, (d) 51 and 55, (e) 56 and 60 and (h) 61 and 74 years, if he will estimate the numbers earning (i) up to 35,000 per year, (ii) between 35,000 and 45,000 per year, (iii) between 45,000 and 55,000 per year, (iv) between 55,000 and 65,000 per year, (v) between 65,000 and 75,000 per year, (vi) between 75,000 and 85,000 per year, (vii) between 85,000 and 95,000 per year and (viii) over 95,000 per year, for the tax year (A) 2000 and (B) 2001;
	(2)  if he will list the numbers of self-employed between the ages of (a) 18 and 35, (b) 36 and 45, (c) 46 and 50, (d) 51 and 55, (e) 56 and 60 and (f) 61 and 74 years and estimate the numbers in each category paying the (i) standard rate and (ii) higher rate of tax for the tax year 200001;
	(3)  if he will estimate, of those between the ages of (a) 18 and 35, (b) 36 and 45, (c) 46 and 50, (d) 51 and 55, (e) 56 and 60 and (f) 61 and 74 years, the numbers earning (i) up to 35,000 per year, (ii) between 35,000 and 45,000 per year, (iii) between 45,000 and 55,000 per year, (iv) between 55,000 and 65,000 per year, (v) between 65,000 and 75,000 per year, (vi) between 75,000 and 85,000 per year, (vii) between 85,000 and 95,000 per year and (viii) over 95,000 per year, for the tax year (1) 2000 and (2) 2001.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates for the number of taxpayers with some self employed income, by range of age and total earned income (income from employment, income from self employment and pensions) are given in the tables, based on the Survey of Personal Incomes.
	
		Estimated number of people with some self employment income by range of earnings and age, 200001 -- Thousands
		
			  Age (lower limit)   
			 Earnings upper limit ()  18  36  46  51  56  61  74 
		
		
			 35,000 21 37 21 20 13 13 (22) 
			 45,000 12 22 12 10 7 7 (22) 
			 55,000 5 16 8 8 5 4 (22) 
			 65,000 4 11 6 6 4 3 (22) 
			 75,000 3 8 4 4 2 2 (22) 
			 85,000 1 6 3 3 2 2 (22) 
			 95,000 6 23 14 13 7 5 (22) 
		
	
	
		Estimated number of people with some self employment income by range of earnings and age, 200102 -- Thousands
		
			  Age (lower limit)   
			 Earnings upper limit ()  18  36  46  51  56  61  74 
		
		
			 35,000 23 39 22 21 13 13 (22) 
			 45,000 12 22 13 10 8 8 (22) 
			 55,000 6 16 8 8 5 4 (22) 
			 65,000 4 11 6 6 4 4 (22) 
			 75,000 3 8 4 4 2 3 (22) 
			 85,000 2 7 3 3 2 2 (22) 
			 95,000 6 25 15 14 8 6 (22) 
		
	
	
		Estimated number of people with some self employment income by taxpayer's marginal rate, 200001 -- Thousands
		
			  Age (lower limit)   
			 Marginal rate 18 36 46 51 56 61 74 
		
		
			 Starting rate(23) 79 70 40 40 30 30 (22) 
			 Savers rate(24) (22) 7 (22) 8 8 12 (22) 
			 Basic rate(25) 517 555 265 289 210 218 (22) 
			 Higher rate(26) 60 135 75 68 43 49 (22) 
		
	
	(22) These cells have insufficient numbers in the sample to provide a reliable estimate.
	(23) Taxpayers with a marginal rate at the 10 per cent. starting rate from an extra 1 of earnings
	(24) Taxpayers with a marginal rate at the 20 per cent. lower rate for savings income or the 10 per cent. ordinary dividend rate from an extra 1 of earnings
	(25) Taxpayers with a marginal rate at the 22 per cent. basic rate from an extra 1 of earnings
	(26) Taxpayers with taxable income above the higher rate threshold.
	
		Estimated number of taxpayers by range of earnings and age, 200001 -- Thousands
		
			  Age (lower limit)   
			 Earnings upper limit ()  18  36  46  51  56  61  74 
		
		
			 35,000 270 317 164 121 66 64 11 
			 45,000 96 140 70 58 32 30 5 
			 55,000 51 83 42 34 19 15 3 
			 65,000 25 50 28 23 12 11 1 
			 75,000 13 31 16 15 7 7 1 
			 85,000 9 23 10 11 5 5 1 
			 95,000 38 91 47 44 23 18 2 
		
	
	
		Estimated number of taxpayers by range of earnings and age, 200102 -- Thousands
		
			  Age (lower limit)   
			 Earnings upper limit ()  18  36  46  51  56  61  74 
		
		
			 35,000 315 352 179 135 70 70 12 
			 45,000 111 158 83 63 37 33 5 
			 55,000 57 89 43 37 22 16 3 
			 65,000 30 57 30 26 12 12 1 
			 75,000 16 35 19 16 9 8 1 
			 85,000 9 23 11 12 5 5 1 
			 95,000 42 100 51 48 25 19 2

Income Tax (Young People)

Lembit �pik: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to remove 16 and 17-year-olds from the income tax systems; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: We have no plans to remove 16 and 17-year-olds from the income tax system. However, if their income is below the personal allowance they will not pay tax.

Benefits (Buckingham)

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people received (a) tax credits and (b) means- tested benefits in the Buckingham constituency in each year since April 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: For figures back to 1998 I refer the hon. Member to the earlier reply by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 19 November 2001, Official Report, column 153W. I understand from the Department for Work and Pensions that the equivalent figures for Buckingham for May 1997 were:
	
		Recipients of (a) tax credits and (b) certain income related benefits in the Buckingham constituency
		
			 May 1997 Number 
		
		
			 Income support 2,100 
			 Jobseeker's allowance (income based) (27)400 
			 Family credit (27)300 
			 Disability working allowance 10 
			  
			 Total 2,800 
		
	
	(27) Sampling error is particularly high for these figures, and they should be treated as a rough guide only
	Notes:
	1. Apart from DWA, the figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample. They are subject to sampling error and therefore shown to the nearest hundred
	2. Recipients of FC or DWA who also receive IS or JSA are included only in the income support and jobseeker's allowance figures. This eliminates double counting in the total
	3. DWA figures are for April
	Sources:
	Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry May 1997
	Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiry May 1997
	Family Credit Quarterly Statistical Enquiry May 1997
	Disability Working Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiry April 1997
	There were 6,340 recipients of housing benefit and 7,470 recipients of council tax benefit in the Aylesbury Vale district council area at May 1997.

Brazilian Mahogany

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the seizure by Customs and Excise of Brazilian mahogany and mahogany products shipped to UK ports.

Dawn Primarolo: Where Brazilian mahogany is subject to control under Council Regulation 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora, and the necessary documentation is not presented to Customs at importation, then Customs would normally seize the consignment.

Impounded Vehicles

David Heath: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 14 November 2001, Official Report, column 766W, on impounded vehicles, what are the security reasons which prevent the geographical locations of such sites from being published; which officials are responsible for making this decision; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The geographical location of storage sites for seized goods, including vehicles, is not published in order to reduce the risk of criminal attempts of theft and damage. In the recent past a vehicle with satellite tracking was deliberately burned and attempts to remove vehicles or parts of vehicles by allegedly armed men have been reported.
	The decision not to publish the details of storage sites has been taken by the contract managers in consultation with Customs security officers.

Impounded Vehicles

David Heath: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 14 November 2001, Official Report, column 766W, on impounded vehicles, with which bodies Customs and Excise has made contract arrangements to supply storage facilities; when each contract arrangement was made; what the value is of each contract; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The contract for the haulage and storage of excise goods and vehicles used to smuggle was signed with PO Trans European Ltd. in 1996 for three years and renewed for a further two years in 1999. It is not possible to identify the value of this contract in relation to vehicle storage alone.

Departmental Bodies and Reviews

Michael Fallon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) task forces and (b) policy reviews with external members have been established by his Department since January 2000; and what (i) sub-groups, (ii) working parties and (iii) other subsidiary committees were established by each body.

Ruth Kelly: Information about task forces, annual reports and ad hoc advisory groups is set out in an annual report, published by the Cabinet Office. Copies of the annual report on task forces and similar bodies have been placed in the Library of the House and the annual report is being made available on the Cabinet Office's website.
	Information about sub-groups, working parties and other subsidiary committees established by each body is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Bodies and Reviews

Michael Fallon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the date of establishment was for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since January 2000; which of them have issued their final reports and what the dates of publication were; which of them have been terminated and what the dates of termination were; and for those bodies still in existence, what their expected (a) reporting and (b) termination dates are.

Ruth Kelly: Information about task forces, annual reports and ad hoc advisory groups is set out in an annual report, published by the Cabinet Office. Copies of the annual report on task forces and similar bodies have been placed in the Library of the House and the annual report is being made available on the Cabinet Office's website.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Duncan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outstanding balance is of (a) income tax and (b) national insurance that has been deferred as a result of foot and mouth disease in (i) Dumfries and Galloway, (ii) Scotland and (iii) the United Kingdom.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 23 November 2001
	Between 21 March 2001 and 18 November 2001 the amount of tax and national insurance contributions deferred as a result of foot and mouth disease totalled 108.12 million.
	We do not have specific figures for Dumfries and Galloway but out of the total amount of tax and NIC deferred, 11.56 million relates to Scotland and 96.56 million to the rest of the UK.
	We do not yet have enough information to give a reliable figure of the net current balance outstanding.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Rural Affairs

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 320W, on rural parishes, if she will list those parishes deemed to be (a) vibrant, (b) active, (c) barely active and (d) sleeping.

Alun Michael: A list of parishes (just over 6,000) deemed to be (a) vibrant, (b) active, (c) barely active, (d) sleeping will be made available in the Library of the House. This is based on information collated from parish clerks through the Countryside Agency's Rural Services Survey.

Rural Affairs

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 319W, on the rural White Paper, if she will list the measures she will be using to determine the indicator.

Alun Michael: I refer to my answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 319W. The research will review existing baseline and trend data to give an assessment of their suitability for use in compiling an indicator. Data sources to be considered include: Agricultural Census; National Inventory of Woodland and Trees; Countryside Survey 2000; Land Use Change Statistics; cultural heritage monuments, buildings and field patterns; perceptual and aesthetic characteristics such as tranquillity and noise mapping. At this stage in the research it is not possible to say which measures will eventually be used to determine the indicator.

Business Start-ups

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 321W, what work (a) has previously been done and (b) is being done to measure information on business start-ups.

Alun Michael: The Countryside Agency has adopted an indicator on business health. This necessitates the collection of a range of business data including business registrations and de-registrations (business registrations only include those businesses above the VAT threshold). The Countryside Agency use the number of business registrations as a proxy indicator of total business start-ups. However, in their 2001 State of the Countryside report they presented data from the Office for National Statistics on the total number of businesses, proportion of business by employee sizeband and VAT registrations and de-registrations.
	The Countryside Agency are working with the Office for National Statistics to procure accurate and up-to-date information from the Inter-Departmental Business Register for 2001. In addition they are working with the Small Business Service in looking at the broader picture of business health in England, in particular those businesses beneath the VAT threshold. For the 2002 State of the Countryside Report they will again publish data for rural areas on business start-ups as measured by registration and de-registration to give an accurate picture of business activity in the Countryside. This may be supplemented by data collected from a local research project.

Business Start-ups

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 327W, how much of the 92 million outlined in the Rural White Paper for the Rural Bus Challenge and Rural Transport Partnership programme was spent in (a) 200001 and (b) 200102; and how much each individual initiative has received.

Alun Michael: A total of 21 million was allocated to new Rural Bus Challenge projects in 200001, spending over a number of financial years. Expenditure in that year on all Challenge projects, including those begun in previous years, was 11 million. There is 20 million available for awards in this year's Rural Bus Challenge competition, decisions on which will be announced shortly. Forecast expenditure in the current year on all projects is 23 million.
	The Countryside Agency's Rural Transport Partnership Programme spent 4.8 million in 200001. For this financial year, formal grant offers total 7.1 million to date, of which 2.9 million has been spent.

Business Start-ups

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 321W, on rural employment, if she will list the jobs by (a) category and (b) proportion that people have done in rural areas in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1998, (iv) 1999, (v) 2000 and (vi) 2001.

Alun Michael: The table lists rural employment by category and the percentage of people employed.
	
		Percentage 
		
			  1996 1997 1998 
		
		
			 Energy and Water 1.0 1.0 0.4 
			 Manufacturing 20.3 20.0 20.3 
			 Construction 4.2 5.0 5.5 
			 Distribution, Hotels and Restaurants 24.8 24.4 25.1 
			 Transport and Communications 5.3 5.1 5.0 
			 Banking, Finance, Insurance etc. 13.9 14.6 14.5 
			 Public Administration, Education and Health 25.2 24.4 24.5 
			 Other services 4.7 4.7 4.5 
		
	
	Source:
	ONS Annual Employment Service
	Information for 1999, 2000 and 2001 is not currently available but I undertake to write to the hon. Gentleman with this information as soon as it is to hand.

Business Start-ups

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 322W, on civic amenities, how many (a) food shops, (b) post offices, (c) cash points, (d) primary schools and (e) GP surgeries within 4km of rural households (i) opened and (ii) closed in 2000.

Alun Michael: The Countryside Agency's Rural Services Survey in 2000 researched the geographical availability of a range of services. This was the first year that a survey of this type had been undertaken at the household level across rural England. Full postcoded lists of services were used in the survey to calculate their availability to rural households within specified distances. The survey provides information on services available at a point in time. Future surveys will therefore provide a comparison with the base figures rather than reflecting the number of the openings and closings of services.

Market Towns

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 322W, on market towns, what has been the progress of the Countryside Research Project to assess the health and viability of market towns; and if she will make a statement on the different economic and social indicators that are being considered.

Alun Michael: The Research Project was let in January 2001 and progress to date has been towards a methodological approach to developing a national headline indicator. The broad scope of the work has been to focus on the key influencing attributes of market towns including: size and spacing of market towns; urban/rural shift of economic activity; the economic base of market towns; and the clustering of economic activity. In addition, considerable work has gone into examining market towns in relation to the Index of Deprivation 2000.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take into account the financial situation of rural enterprises in setting target dates for payments under the countryside stewardship scheme at the end of this year.

Alun Michael: In recognition of the problems experienced by farmers hard hit by foot and mouth disease, we have specifically extended the deadline for the receipt of countryside stewardship scheme claims to 31 December, to allow more time for completion of claim forms. We are currently processing the claims so far received as quickly as available resources permit, to ensure payments are made as soon as practicable. Our published aim is to pay claims within two months of receipt.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will announce the target date for the payment of amounts under the countryside stewardship scheme at the end of this calendar year.

Alun Michael: Our published aim for the payment of claims under the countryside stewardship schemes is two months from the date of receipt.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has had regarding timely payment of amounts under the countryside stewardship scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: I have received no recent representations on this subject. Claims for this year's payments under the countryside stewardship scheme were invited from 1 October onwards. Our published aim is to make payments within two months of receipt and the Department is currently working hard to achieve this.

Foxes

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the size of the fox population in England (a) at the latest available date and (b) in November 2000.

Alun Michael: There is no information collected centrally which could provide the basis for an answer to this question.

Foxes

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the impact on fox populations of the existence of artificial earths;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the consequences for the level of the fox population of the temporary suspension of hunting.

Alun Michael: holding answer 26 November 2001
	There is no information collected centrally which could provide the basis for an answer to these questions.

Agricultural Development Scheme

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will announce the outcome of bids for funding under round three of the Agricultural Development Scheme.

Margaret Beckett: Our aim is to announce the outcome in late January 2002.

Pitsea Tip

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what poisonous substances have been deposited at Pitsea tip; over what period; and from which source.

Michael Meacher: Waste has been deposited at Pitsea landfill site at least since 1935 and since that time it is estimated some 30 million tonnes of waste have been deposited from a range of sources.
	Between 1967 and 1994, there were requirements to submit records of the waste deposited at the site under various waste and planning controls. This information was collected by the relevant local authorities at the time. Some of these records were passed to the Environment Agency, though full records do not exist for the complete period that the landfill site operated.
	The situation changed in 1994. Under paragraph 14 of Schedule 4 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, operators are required to keep a record of the quantity, nature and origin of the waste disposed of at each site; and to make that information available, on request, to the Environment Agency. However, the agency must act reasonably in its use of this power. The agency would be open to legal challenge in the event of unreasonably seeking detailed information on all the substances, and the source of those substances, disposed of at the Pitsea landfill site since 1994. Nevertheless the detailed licence for the site which specifies the quantities and types of waste able to be deposited at Pitsea is available for inspection at the local Environment Agency office. The following is an extract from the licence which details the general limits on the amount of waste able to be deposited at the site.
	Extract from licence
	Condition 2
	(i) A maximum amount of 200,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste in liquid form, of which not more than 175,000 tonnes shall be hazardous, shall be deposited annually
	(ii) not more than 37,000 tonnes of hazardous industrial waste in solid form, other than solid land clearance waste shall be deposited annually
	(iii) not more than 60,000 tonnes of solid, hazardous waste, land clearance waste shall be deposited annually
	(iv) not more than 5,000 tonnes in liquid form and 1,000 in solid form shall be of high hazard category
	Condition 77
	Notwithstanding the quantities of liquid waste permitted for disposal by condition 2, no more than 119,500 tonnes of liquid waste shall be deposited directly to landfill during the year ending 1 April 1992 and this volume shall be reduced in each successive year by at least 12,500 tonnes so that by the end of the year ending 31 March 1997, no more than 60,000 tonnes are disposed of by direct landfill.

Genetically Modified Fish

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the Food and Agriculture Organisation's recent paper, State of the World's Fisheries and Aquaculture, concerning genetic modification of aquatic species and their potential to increase the quantity and quality of aquaculture products.

Michael Meacher: The paper published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2000 recognises the potential for genetic modification to increase the quantity and quality of aquaculture products. It goes on to consider the areas of concern with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). These include possible adverse side effects on human health and the environment, trade impacts, intellectual property rights, labelling and ethics. It outlines possible solutions including the adoption of suitable legislation, codes of conduct or guidelines, and possible technical answers. The paper says that solutions will come only from addressing all sides of this complex issue. It also notes that technically there must be good scientific support with adequate testing and monitoring to reduce the uncertainties of environmental impact.
	The Government note the potential of genetic modification but at this stage of development GM technology has yet to demonstrate any proven benefits in relation to aquaculture. It is feasible that the technology could be used to increase yields from fish farms or make farmed fish easier or cheaper to produce, but this is unlikely in the short term. There have been no environmental releases of GM fish in the UK and none is expected to be proposed in the foreseeable future.
	However, the Government keep an open mind on this while making sure that suitable safety controls are in place to ensure protection for human health and the environment.

Genetically Modified Fish

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she takes to ensure genetically modified salmon cannot escape from confinement into the wild.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 27 November 2001
	There are currently no GM salmon in this country therefore the situation does not arise. The Government's policy on containment of GM fish was outlined in the answers given to the hon. Member on 19 November 2001, Official Report, columns 7879W, and on 20 November 2001, Official Report, column 198W.

Sustainable Development

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Scottish Minister regarding Scotland's contribution to United Kingdom targets on sustainable development.

Michael Meacher: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met Scottish Ministers specifically to discuss these matters, although the Department works closely with the Scottish Executive on sustainable development issues. Scotland's contribution is reflected as appropriate in the UK Government's annual reports on our Sustainable Development Strategy, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

Rural Ministers

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to introduce the concept of Rural Ministers in different Government Departments.

Alun Michael: The Government consider it important that all Ministers in Home Departments are alert to the implications of their policies and programmes for people living in rural areas rather than introducing such a specific designation. The Department and I, assisted by the Countryside Agency, ensure that all major policies are assessed for their rural impact through the rural- proofing process described in Our Countryside: the future (Cmnd 4909). The Cabinet Sub-committee on Rural Renewal, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, and on which relevant Departments are represented, will oversee the effectiveness of the rural- proofing process.

Departmental Targets

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's latest annual efficiency target is; and if it has been achieved.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 16 November 2001
	DEFRA's public service agreement target on efficiency is to achieve a reduction of 10 per cent. in the unit cost of administering CAP payments by March 2004, and 95 per cent. electronic service delivery capability for such payments by March 2004. We are currently on track to meet this commitment by December 2004 and the recent creation of the Rural Payments Agency will play a crucial part in delivering this.
	DEFRA is committed to establishing a strong efficiency programme, based on robust measurement. As part of this programme, we are developing efficiency measures covering all aspects of the Department.

Beef

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to (a) her French counterpart and (b) the European Commission regarding proposals to ban beef imports into France during November.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 16 November 2001
	The European Commission are looking into the agreement on supporting the beef market in France reached by the French industry to determine whether it contravenes Community rules. A number of other member states have expressed concern at the implications of the agreement for imports into France. The UK is not directly affected since France has not implemented the European Community Decision to allow exports of British beef under the Date Based Export Scheme. The judgment of the European Court of Justice on this is expected shortly.

Dry Stone Walls

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to extend additional protection to dry stone walls.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 16 November 2001
	We are considering representations that we have received on this subject. However, the primary legislation which provides the enabling powers for the Hedgerow Regulations does not provide powers to protect dry stone walls. The Department supports maintenance and restoration of dry stone walls through agri-environment schemes which are being significantly expanded under the England Rural Development Programme. The results of Countryside Survey 2000 suggested that net losses of walls had been halted by 1998.

Biodiesel Technology

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to support the development of biodiesel technology; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 16 November 2001
	Following the Green Fuels Challenge a new duty rate for biodiesel, 20 pence per litre below the rate for Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel, is to be introduced in Budget 2002. Any additional measures to develop biodiesel must be based on sound evidence and this Department has recently commissioned a six-month study, on behalf of the Government-Industry Forum on non-food uses of crops, to evaluate the comparative energy, environmental and socio-economic costs and benefits of biodiesel production in the UK. The study will compare results with those for other relevant green fuels and relevant energy saving measures, and will inform the future development of policy.

Energy Crops

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the money announced by the Government in October 2000 to promote the growth of energy crops has already been applied for; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Our Energy Crops Scheme, part of the England Rural Development Programme, makes 29 million of assistance available to farmers. Applications which have been agreed or are being assessed total about 2 per cent. of this. This includes establishment grants for short rotation coppice and miscanthus and funding to set up a producer group for SRC growers. The low level of expenditure reflects slower than expected progress with biomass-fuelled projects. The Government have now allocated over 70 million of funding for market development and we are working closely with Government Departments and other bodies to develop opportunities in power generation, combined heat and power and heat applications. We expect this to lead to a significant increase in uptake.

River Thames (Adjacent Land)

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will outline the policy of the Environment Agency with regard to (a) the provision of car parking on (i) land immediately adjacent to the river Thames and (ii) its own land immediately adjacent to the river Thames and (b) the leasing of its own land immediately adjacent to the river Thames.

Michael Meacher: Local authorities are responsible for development control and policy related to car parking in their areas. In cases of new development, the Environment Agency, as a statutory consultee, has an opportunity to encourage best practice in environmental design. This includes proposals on land adjacent to the river Thames.
	When considering a planning application, the agency would normally request a number of planning conditions, such as the retention of a buffer zone to allow access to flood defences for maintenance and inspection; the provision of public access rights to the riverside; and prevention of encroachment of the development on to the tidal foreshore.
	These standards apply equally to development by the agency on its own land, including that adjacent to the Thames.
	In cases of land leased by the agency to a third party, subject to the terms of the contract, use of the site would be a matter between the third party and the local planning authority. The agency would, if a planning application were made, be a statutory consultee in the normal way.

Animal Experiments

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many animals have been used in live experiments tests within the EU in the last year; and how many have been used in the United Kingdom;
	(2)  how many animals are held in Government laboratories for live testing purposes.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The latest years for which we have information for the European Union as a whole are 199697, when the number of animals used in experiments was 11,646,000.
	The latest year for which figures are available for the United Kingdom is 2000, when the number of animals involved in scientific procedures started in Great Britain was 2,643,000, with a further 14,100 in Northern Ireland. 83 per cent. of the animals used were rats, mice and other rodent species. Dogs, cats, horses and non-human primates, which are accorded special protection by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, were collectively used in under one per cent. of the procedures.
	Information regarding the number of animals used for toxicological purposes is provided in Table 10a of the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2000. This is broken down by species of animal, but not by type of establishment.
	The Home Office does not collect information relating to the number of animals held in Government laboratories or other establishments designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Animal Experiments

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the EU proposals for laboratory testing of household chemicals on animals.

Michael Meacher: The European Commission published a White Paper on 27 February 2001 setting out the strategy for a future Community Policy for chemicals with the overall objective of ensuring a high level of protection for human health and the environment. A copy of the White Paper has been deposited in the Library of the House. Environment Ministers from all member states called on the European Commission to present, by the end of 2001, its main proposals for a simple, clear and transparent regulatory framework to implement the strategy while limiting the need for animal testing.

Sheep/Lamb Producers (Returns)

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will calculate the average annual return for individual sheep and lamb producers in the UK in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Elliot Morley: Estimates of the average annual return are given in the table. They are calculated as the total annual value of production of sheep and sheepmeat (including subsidies), divided by the number of farms with sheep and lambs at the June agricultural census.
	
		Average annual return for UK sheep and lamb producers
		
			  Value of production of which: subsidies Number of farms with sheep and lambs at June Average annual return per producer 
			 Year ( million) ( million) (Thousand(28)) ((29)) 
		
		
			 1991 1,138 598 96.1 11,800 
			 1992 1,159 522 96.2 12,000 
			 1993 1,245 498 95.6 13,000 
			 1994 1,235 448 94.4 13,100 
			 1995 1,334 536 89.9 14,800 
			 1996 1,295 384 88.2 14,700 
			 1997 1,194 354 87.1 13,700 
			 1998 1,130 479 86.8 13,000 
			 1999 1,001 408 86.3 11,600 
			 2000(30) 982 349 82.2 11,900 
		
	
	(28) Main holdings only
	(29) Rounded to nearest hundred
	(30) Provisional
	Note:
	Prepared by: Statistics (Commodities and Food) Division, Economics and Statistics Directorate, DEFRA

National Parks Task Force

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who the members of the task force on national parks are; on what occasions Ministers have met the task force; and how many times the task force has met.

Alun Michael: There is no task force on national parks of which I am aware. A review of National Park Authorities in England is currently being undertaken by Richard Pullen, an official in DEFRA's Countryside Division. Following a three month public consultation period, which closed on 2 November, DEFRA officials are now visiting each English national park to discuss issues with National Park Authority members and stakeholders. This will lead to further discussion with Ministers about the findings of the review in the new year.

Waste

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the comparative position of the United Kingdom in relation to each other EU country regarding progress towards meeting the requirements of the Landfill Directive.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 23 November 2001
	The Landfill Directive was due to be transposed into domestic law by 16 July 2001. Consultation on a set of draft Regulations to implement the technical and regulatory requirements of the Landfill Directive in England and Wales closed on 26 October 2001. The Government will be laying regulations before Parliament shortly. In advance of the regulations coming into effect the Environment Agency is using its existing powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Pollution and Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 to apply the Directive's requirements to any permits issued in the interim.
	We have also consulted on a tradeable landfill permit scheme to implement the targets in Article 5 of the Directive for the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill and will bring forward primary legislation to introduce such a scheme as soon as parliamentary time permits.
	Enforcement of Directives is a matter for the European Commission and any infraction proceedings for not implementing the Directive fully or on time would be between the member state concerned and the Commission.

Waste

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to develop central monitoring of the amount of waste collected for recycling which ends up in landfill sites.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 23 November 2001
	In theory all material collected for recycling should be recycled, but inevitably there will be losses. Some mixed material may be lost in the sorting process (for example at Material Reclamation Facilities). Material may also be rejected due to contamination, or sent for disposal due to the lack of a suitable market for the recycled material.
	There are no current plans to centrally monitor the amount of waste collected for recycling which ends up in landfill. However, in the case of local authorities, we are looking at the way we measure household recycling rates in the Municipal Waste Management Survey to try to ensure that the rates reflect material that was both collected for recycling and actually sent for recycling. In the current 200001 survey we are asking for the percentage of materials collected for recycling and composting which were rejected at Material Reclamation Facilities. To ensure that such losses are minimised it is important to support markets for recycled materials through initiatives such as WRAP. It should also be noted that the best value statutory standards for household recycling rates are on the basis of material sent for recycling, not that which is collected.

Waste

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to enable each local authority to provide doorstep collection of recyclable waste.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 23 November 2001
	It is a matter for local authorities to decide how best to meet their Statutory Performance Targets on recycling. To enable them to meet the challenging Statutory Performance Standards for recycling, we are however, providing major extra funding. By 200304 revenue support in the relevant Standard Spending Assessment area will have risen 1.1 billion over 200001 provision. Spending Review 2000 also provides 220 million for PFI waste schemes over the spending review period and a 140 million ring-fenced fund for waste and recycling. 50 million of New Opportunities Fund moneys will also be available over the next two years to support community sector work on recycling work in the UK.

Waste

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to encourage a reduction in non-domestic waste.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 23 November 2001
	Our record on managing industrial and commercial waste is already better than on domestic waste. Nevertheless in order to encourage businesses further to reduce waste and to put to better use any waste that is produced the Government in Waste Strategy 2000 have set the target to reduce by 2005 the amount of industrial and commercial waste sent to landfill to 85 per cent. of that landfilled in 1998.
	There are initiatives already in place to help industry. The Envirowise Programme aims to demonstrate the benefits of managing resource use and reducing the environmental impact to companies across the whole of the UK.
	The programme encourages the establishment of waste minimisation clubs. The clubs offer a means by which businesses can make environmental improvements.
	The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regime will also have a role to play. Those regulated under the regime will be required to abide by the general principle that waste production should be avoided and that where waste is produced it should be recovered unless technically and economically impossible.

Departmental Strikes

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many working days have been lost through strikes by departmental staff since 1 June; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 23 November 2001
	Between 1 June and 21 November a total of 14,230 working days was lost due to strike action by departmental staff who are members of the Public and Commercial Services Union. Our aim is to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are being taken to ensure that (a) Eaga Partnership Ltd. and (b) Eastern HEES Ltd. monitor the independent installers employed in relation to the home energy efficiency scheme.

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to monitor the performance of the contractors and management of the Government's energy efficiency scheme.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 19 November 2001
	The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme managers are responsible for appointing and managing contractors to carry out the installation of heating and insulation measures in homes. This includes checking that installers are able to meet the technical and quality requirements of the scheme, as well as the price tendered. Once appointed, both scheme managers continue to check the quality of work through physical inspections of all central heating, and a proportion of insulation installations.
	The results of this monitoring are provided to my Department within the regular reports produced by the scheme managers. In addition an independent quality assurance contractor is employed by my Department to inspect and advise on the systems used by the scheme managers, including those relating to contractor management.

Radon Emissions

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many residential dwellings have been tested for radon emissions since 1988 in (a) Devon and (b) England and Wales; and what percentage of the dwellings tested were owned (i) privately and (ii) by the local authority or housing associations.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 27 November 2001
	Recorded in the table is the number of residential dwellings that have been tested for radon emissions since 1988 in (a) Devon and (b) England and Wales; and the percentage of dwellings that were owned (i) privately and (ii) rented. The rented accommodation includes property that is owned by local authorities, housing associations, and the private rented sector. Records held centrally do not allow differentiation between the various types of public and private tenancy.
	
		
			 Parameter Devon(31) England and Wales(31) 
		
		
			 Number of dwellings tested since 1988 80,000 400,000 
			 Percentage of privately owned dwellings 85 81 
			 Percentage of local authority and housing association owned dwellings and other tenanted dwellings(32) 10 15 
			 Percentage of unknown tenure(33) 5 4 
		
	
	(31) Numerical values are rounded
	(32) As recorded by the occupier at the time of measurement
	(33) The occupier did not state the type of tenure

Fresh Water Supply

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the adequacy of the fresh water supply available to the UK.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 27 November 2001
	The Natural Environment Research Council's Centre for Ecology and Hydrology produces monthly summaries of hydrological conditions across the UK. The latest summary indicates that groundwater resources are very healthy, and that reservoir stocks have recently increased, now being above average for this time of year.

Fresh Water Supply

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where are the UK's main water sources; and what plans there are to create desalination plants.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 27 November 2001
	The principal sources from which water is abstracted in the UK are surface waters (rivers and reservoirs) and groundwater (eg chalk aquifers). The main source in any given area depends on its geology though water resources can be, and are, transferred from one region to another where it is necessary to do so. Desalination is not seen as a necessary option in terms of public water supply at the present time.

Incinerator Ash (Dioxins)

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the quality of the Environment Agency's methods of testing incinerated material for dioxins;
	(2)  if she will publish the latest assessment of the level of dioxins in ash produced by each of the large scale municipal incineration plants;
	(3)  if she will make a statement on the toxicity of ash at large-scale municipal incineration plants.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 27 November 2001
	Under the current IPC (integrated pollution control) authorisations, the Environment Agency requires all municipal waste incinerators to regularly analyse bottom ash and air pollution control residues for dioxins, carbon and a variety of metals.
	These results are placed on the public register. I have asked the Environment Agency to provide the hon. Member with a summary of the recent results, and will place copies in the Library of the House. I understand latest results show the level of dioxins in bottom ash to be similar to those found in soils.
	I am confident that the Environment Agency has the appropriate technical expertise to carry out accurate and repeatable dioxin analysis of incinerated material. The agency has its own accredited laboratory for dioxin analysis. Nevertheless, current analysis of the dioxin levels in incinerator residues involves the incinerator operators and the Environment Agency employing a standard sampling protocol but with analysis by a number of different laboratories approved by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. One of the aims of this ongoing work is to confirm the accuracy and repeatability of the techniques employed.

Departmental Expenditure Limits

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to change the (a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 200102.

Margaret Beckett: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DEL will be increased by 857,992,000 from 1,732,782,000 to 2,590,774,000 and the administration costs limit will be increased by 46,250,000 from 457,399,000 to 503,649,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Resources Capital 
		
		
			 Change 563,514 294,478 
			 New DEL 2,084,642 506,132 
			 of which:   
			 Voted 1,365,254 429,069 
			 Non-voted 719,388 77,063 
			   
			 Start figures(34)   
			 Summer DEL 1,521,128 211,654 
			 of which:   
			 Voted 1,054,667 174,349 
			 Non-voted 466,461 37,305 
		
	
	(34) From summer supp.
	The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from: (i) a take-up of 57,933,000 under the End-Year Flexibility rules, (ii) 9,000 from the Evidence Based Policy Fund within the Capital Modernisation Fund, (iii) a transfer of 510,555,000 from DTLR following the formation of DEFRA, (iv) a transfer of 610,000 from the Home Office following the formation of DEFRA, (v) a transfer of 177,000 from the Privy Council Office for the Secretary of State's accommodation costs, (vi) a transfer of 100,000 from the Department of Health for the Rural Stress Action Group, (vii) a transfer of 3,200,000 from DTLR for the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, (viii) a transfer of 20,000 from DTLR for local public service agreements, (ix) a transfer of 4,394,000 to the Cabinet Office for staff transferred to governmental organisations, (x) a transfer of 1,000,000 to Department of Health for research on transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, (xi) a transfer of 929,000 to the Scottish Executive for the Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme, (xii) a transfer of 967,000 to the Home Office for the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and, (xiii) a transfer of 1,800,000 to the Scottish Executive for the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme.
	The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from (i) a take-up of 72,519,000 under the End-Year Flexibility rules, (ii) a take-up of 237,000 under the Capital Modernisation Fund and, (iii) a take-up of 221,722,000 from DTLR following the formation of DEFRA. There will also be a transfer of 3,000,000 from non-voted supplementary credit approvals to voted capital.
	Increases will be offset by inter-departmental transfers and charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Global Warming

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on Government responsibilities on (a) global warming and (b) Kyoto.

Michael Meacher: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has lead responsibility for climate change (which includes both global warming and the Kyoto protocol). My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister also continues to play a role in international climate change discussions and negotiations on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the impact of the moratorium on new gas-fired power stations on carbon dioxide emissions (a) to date and (b) over the next five years.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 16 November 2001
	The effect of the moratorium on present day emissions is likely to be small, given the time lags involved in constructing new plants. There could, in principle, be a small and temporary effect on emissions over the next few years. It is however difficult to make an estimate due to many other influences that could also affect new build decisions, for example, changes in energy prices, the New Electricity Trading Arrangements, and other Government policies on energy and the environment. We would expect any effect from the moratorium to have died away before the end of the decade.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the percentage of carbon dioxide emissions derived from (a) transport, (b) domestic sources and (c) industry in the last 12 months.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 16 November 2001
	The table shows carbon dioxide emissions recorded in the UK's greenhouse gas inventory from transport, the domestic sector and industry in 1999, which is the most recent year for which complete information is available. Industrial emissions are divided into manufacturing industry and energy industries. The latter include power stations and refineries, and produce the electricity, refined petroleum and other energy products used elsewhere in the economy. Emissions from energy industries amounted to 48.8 million tonnes of carbon equivalent (MtC) in 1999, of which 5.2 MtC and 16.6 MtC were attributable to demand in the transport and domestic sectors. Emissions from fuels loaded in the UK and used by international aviation and shipping are not included in the UK's inventory under agreed reporting guidelines used by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. These emissions amounted to a further 8.7 MtC in 1999.
	
		UK CO 2  emissions from transport, the domestic sector and industry in 1999, expressed as percentage of total UK CO 2  and as million tonnes carbon (MtC)
		
			  Percentage of total UK emissions MtC 
		
		
			 Transport 22 33.2 
			 Domestic 16 23.3 
			 Manufacturing industry 20.1 30.1 
			 Energy industries 32.7 48.8

Greenhouse Gases

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on current station lifetime plans, what projections have been made of the production of greenhouse gases if electricity produced from nuclear power stations is replaced with electricity produced from gas-fired power stations.

Michael Meacher: On central assumptions, electricity generation from UK nuclear power stations is projected to fall from 86 terawatt hours in 2005 to 27 terawatt hours in 2020, as existing power stations reach the end of their licensed lifetimes (see table). Were it physically possible to replace all nuclear capacity by gas-fired power stations similar to the type presently being installed by 2005, the related greenhouse gas emissions would be about 8.3 million tonnes of carbon per year in 2005, falling to 2.6 million tonnes of carbon by 2020. This includes the effect of carbon dioxide arising from combustion plus minor associated emissions of methane and nitrous oxide.
	
		
			  2005 2010 2015 2020 
		
		
			 Nuclear generation (TWh) 86 66 40 27 
			 Greenhouse gas emissions from fuel switching(35) 8.3 6.4 3.9 2.6 
		
	
	(35) Million tonnes of carbon equivalent

Foot and Mouth

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason her Department was not represented at the public inquiry into foot and mouth disease in Devon.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 1 November 2001
	DEFRA co-operated with the Devon county council inquiry.
	To minimise additional burdens on staff actively engaged in fighting the disease, the Department responded to a number of questions in writing.

Foot and Mouth

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes there were to the criteria for the payment of slaughter premium during the foot and mouth outbreak.

Elliot Morley: There were no changes to the criteria for the payment of slaughter premium during the foot and mouth outbreak.

Foot and Mouth

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what basis slaughter premium is payable on cattle slaughtered as a result of foot and mouth disease.

Elliot Morley: Slaughter premium is not payable on cattle slaughtered during the foot and mouth outbreak but if the market value for such animals would have been influenced by expectation of slaughter premium then the valuation for compensation should reflect this. Standard valuations, which operated between 22 March and 29 July, took account of slaughter premium.
	The Department will shortly be issuing clarification to interested parties.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to implement the recommendations of Professor Mercer's report into the foot and mouth crisis in Devon; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 1 November 2001
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State, Lord Whitty on 31 October 2001, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 141617.